Table of Contents 64q43
When we talk about launching satellites, it is still necessary for large rockets to be used, right? But SpinLaunch, company of EUA, is reimagining this process through a new project that consists of literally throwing objects into space. 4z3a1z
Making use of the gravitational force generated with spins, the company's idea consists of a wheel that has the of a large engine in an airless environment, so that at the right moment, the object is sent into space through a door. Special. The same way we played when we were little. Understand how the idea could drive space exploration right now.
Cost and time reduction 5t2jv
One of the reasons that launching satellites and rockets is a common action only in companies and large high-income countries is because it costs a lot of money. As much as space tourism is already a reality, investment still needs to be high so that a simple rocket or crew of less than ten people can travel to outer space. It is estimated that for each rocket launch Falcon9, SpaceX spend about $1,1 million.
Another big problem is that the launch of satellites with the use of rocket still has great ranges. Today, despite all the advances in NASA e SpaceX, you still need to prepare new releases every few weeks or months.
Focused on ending these problems, the SpinLaunch introduced a “launch centrifuge” that has a launch cost of less than $500.000. Furthermore, if it still takes a long time for more rockets and other satellites to be sent into space today, the interval would be shortened by one day. Check out how the idea works in practice in a video published by the company on its channel on YouTube:
The video above is an amplification of an idea that is 1/3 smaller than what has already been done by the company. In October 2021, the SpinLaunch managed to launch a projectile three meters long into space, without the thrust of thrusters. After receiving the $100 million grant, the company now has a desire to send larger products into space.
How does SpinLaunch work? 6992p
With 100 meters in diameter, the launch pad, which looks like a large centrifuge, will be able to reach a speed of 8.000 km/h. When the rocket reaches an altitude of 61.000 m and a speed of 28.200 km/h, also being in low earth orbit (also called Low Earth Orbit or LEO), the thrusters will be activated. A designer imagined the prototype of the project, check it out below.
Going into details, the project of the SpinLaunch reaches, more or less, 10.000 times the force of gravity. Currently, the company's main focus is to start launching satellites with the same success as SpaceX.
After successfully sending the three-meter-long projectile, the company that created the large centrifuge wants to use the same technology to launch a satellite at an altitude above 20 feet or 60.960 meters from Planet Earth, the same distance as the SpaceX it reaches before activating the second engine of its rockets.
Can SpinLauch launch rockets with humans? 53j3i
Despite being quite innovative and allowing the time and costs to decrease drastically, the SpinLaunch will not be acting as a great partner of astronauts. That's because the gravitational force needed for launches to be carried out is greater than humans can handle.
If a person were inside a ship in the big centrifuge, their skin and muscles would be ripped off, according to the SpinLaunch. Thus, missions with humans through this technology are out of the question.
The other reason is that, for now, it is possible to launch small satellites that weigh a maximum of 181 kilograms. A rocket with the power to take people into outer space weighs much more than that. It is clear that looking at models like telescopes Hubble e , the maximum weight that SpinLaunch can put in space are low. But the company's focus is different.
A push for space exploration 286k6t
If the company's idea cannot be considered a great for more people to go to space, then what will it be used for? The answer lies in the alternative of being able to launch satellites from small companies that do not have the technology to place objects in outer space.
As the cost and time values are much lower than what is known nowadays, the SpinLaunch will be acting as this bridge in the process of launching small objects that need to be sent into space.
The next step includes the construction of the new wheel, which necessarily needs to be done in a steep place for the proper thrust to take place. THE SpinLaunch chose the deserts of New Mexico, located in EUA.
Low-cost, high-strength-to-weight materials such as modern carbon fiber are a critical part of what makes the SpinLaunch possible, while modern electronics, materials and simulation tools allow satellites to be adapted to the kinetic launch environment with relative ease.
SpinLaunch about the new way of launching satellites
A NASA was testing this same technology in the mid-1960s, through the HARP (High Altitude Research Project or High Altitude Research Project), but practical test launches never took place. More than 60 years later, the company that is also one of the EUA was successful precisely because the materials used in satellites and other objects weigh less.
What did you think of the new way of launching objects into space? Do you think the news will be popular? tell us Comment!
See also other features 565d6d
Unlike the SpinLaunch, SpaceX has the technology and security to take humans into space and Elon Musk claimed in December 2021 that people like you and I would be on Mars in the next ten years. What do you think of the big billionaire idea?
Sources: SpinLaunch l Universe Today l Big Think
