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Imagine a world where launching satellites doesn’t rely on rockets, but instead on a colossal cannon. This is the bold vision of SpinLaunch, a California-based startup pioneering a radical new technology to send satellites into orbit. Their objective is to catapult payloads into space using a centrifugal cannon capable of propelling them at speeds exceeding that of a bullet. Most impressively, this ambitious project is not just theoretical. SpinLaunch plans a demonstration flight in 2026, potentially reshaping the future of space exploration.
The Concept of Launching by Cannon
At the heart of SpinLaunch’s system lies a massive vacuum chamber equipped with rotating arms. Small satellites, or payloads, are attached to these arms and accelerated over several minutes until they reach a velocity of nearly 5,000 miles per hour. At this point, they are released and hurled skyward at supersonic speeds. This mechanism resembles a giant slingshot but on an industrial scale.
In tests conducted in New Mexico, SpinLaunch’s 108-foot diameter suborbital accelerator successfully launched several prototypes to suborbital heights, achieving accelerations of up to 10,000 G. This means they managed to send objects high enough to test their technology under near-space conditions, though not yet sufficient for stable orbit around Earth.
Satellites Stacked Like Pancakes
To withstand this extreme launch method, the satellites need a redesign. Enter NanoAvionics, the company tasked with building the first 250 satellites for SpinLaunch’s future constellation, Meridian Space. These satellites will have a circular, flattened shape, measuring 7.2 feet in diameter and weighing just 154 pounds. They will be stacked in a launch container akin to a stack of pancakes.
This configuration allows for sending a large number of satellites into low Earth orbit at once. If successful, SpinLaunch could break the current record held by SpaceX, which launched 143 satellites during its Transporter-1 mission in 2021.
Cheaper, Cleaner?
One of SpinLaunch’s key selling points is cost. The company estimates it can offer launches at prices ranging from $1,250 to $2,500 per kilogram, less than half the cost of launching with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. Such savings could be a game-changer for many space industry players.
Additionally, this method is significantly more environmentally friendly. Without the need for fuel combustion during launch, the system produces no greenhouse gases. Moreover, because it doesn’t use booster rockets, it doesn’t contribute to additional space debris.
A Revolution That Raises Questions
SpinLaunch’s ambitions don’t stop with its own satellite constellation. Once initial launches are validated, the startup plans to build a larger version of its accelerator, with a chamber 328 feet in diameter, capable of sending commercial payloads directly into low Earth orbit. Ultimately, they aim for up to five launches per day.
However, this ambition also raises concerns. Such frequency could exacerbate existing issues related to overcrowding in low Earth orbit: increased risks of collision, interference with astronomical signals, light pollution in the night sky, and metallic pollution during atmospheric re-entries.
SpinLaunch’s approach may seem audacious, but it’s far from impossible. If successful, it could be the first to fundamentally alter how we access space. Cheaper, cleaner, and more frequent launches might be precisely the alternative the space industry needs. As we look towards 2026, the question remains: Will this mechanical and daring method herald a new era in space exploration, propelling us into the future at breathtaking speeds?
Did you like it? 4.5/5 (22)
Wow! Launching satellites with a cannon? That’s some real-life sci-fi stuff! 🚀
How do they make sure the satellite survives the launch? Seems like a lot of Gs!
Sounds amazing but what about the risk of collisions in space with more frequent launches?
Thank you for this interesting article! It’s great to see innovation in the space industry. 😊
This is crazy! How come we’ve never thought of this before? 🤯
Does anyone else think this is a bit too ambitious? What if it doesn’t work?
With no greenhouse gases, this could be a game-changer for the environment. 🌍
Is this method safe for delicate instruments on board the satellites?