SpinLaunch is an innovative space technology company founded in 2014 that is developing a revolutionary kinetic launch system to provide low-cost, high-cadence access to space. Based in Long Beach, California, SpinLaunch aims to transform the space launch industry by using an electrically-powered centrifuge accelerator rather than traditional chemical rockets to propel payloads into orbit.
Technology
At the heart of SpinLaunch’s technology is a 140-foot wide steel vacuum chamber that houses a carbon fiber arm rotating at up to 6000 mph. Payloads ranging from 200-400 kg are attached to the end of the arm and released at the optimal moment, flinging them skyward at speeds exceeding 5000 mph – faster than a bullet. This initial velocity boost enables the payload to achieve orbit using small onboard rockets rather than relying entirely on heavy, expensive traditional rocket fuels.
The centrifuge accelerator is powered by commercial off-the-shelf electric motors, resulting in order of magnitude reductions in both costs and emissions compared to conventional vertical launch. By avoiding combustion entirely during the initial launch phase, SpinLaunch’s system also simplifies supply chain logistics.
Testing & Development
Since its founding, SpinLaunch has made rapid progress designing, building and testing prototypes of its novel launch system. In 2018, the company opened a dedicated flight test facility at Spaceport America in New Mexico to conduct suborbital test launches. By late 2021, SpinLaunch had successfully accelerated a test vehicle to unprecedented rotational velocities, breaking the world record for fastest human-made spinning object.
In October 2022, SpinLaunch conducted its 10th successful suborbital test flight, which included payloads from NASA and other commercial partners. This marked the first time SpinLaunch’s technology was validated by outside groups, paving the way for orbital launches. The data collected will help refine the design of SpinLaunch’s forthcoming Orbital Launch System.
Orbital Launch Plans
Building on its suborbital accelerator success, SpinLaunch is currently developing a larger system designed to provide low-cost orbital launch services. Set to be over 3 times wider than the prototype, the Orbital Accelerator will use the same fundamental technology but on a scale capable of flinging payloads into low Earth orbit.
SpinLaunch is exploring potential launch sites for the Orbital Accelerator including locations in Western Australia that offer remoteness, optimal trajectory over open ocean, and the ability to launch up to 5 times per day.
ProSpinLaunch aims to provide satellite operators with unprecedented launch flexibility and leading price. Each launch is forecast to be priced at less than $500,000. This represents between $1250 – $2500 per kg.
Satellite Buses
In addition to its kinetic launch services, SpinLaunch is leveraging in-house expertise to produce a line of satellite buses optimized to withstand the intense acceleration loads during centrifugal launch. These satellites are designed for high volume production at low cost, with modular components and reduced testing requirements. SpinLaunch aims to offer complete end-to-end launch solutions tailored to the needs of commercial, government and academic satellite operators.
Here is a summary of the key challenges associated with building a satellite that can survive the high acceleration rates of the SpinLaunch system:
Structural Integrity
- Satellites launched by SpinLaunch need to withstand accelerations over 10,000 Gs during spin-up and release, far exceeding traditional rocket launches. This puts intense stress on satellite structures.
- Components and payloads must be hardened to survive the launch loads without failure. This requires analysis of stresses and using materials/designs providing sufficient strength while optimizing mass.
Vibration Management
- The rapid spin-up subjects satellites to strong vibrational forces which can damage sensitive components.
- Electronics and payloads require isolation mounts, shock absorption materials, and other measures to dampen vibrations during launch.
Rapid Deployment Mechanisms
- The ultra-high exit velocity requires satellites separate from the payload shell rapidly after launch to deploy solar panels, antennas etc.
- Special mechanisms are needed to trigger deployment that can withstand high G forces but still activate instantly on launch.
Miniaturization
- The small payload capacity of SpinLaunch’s system constrains satellite mass more severely than conventional rockets.
- Significant miniaturization and mass reduction of spacecraft buses and payloads is essential to create useful satellites within the size/weight limits.
Business Viability
Launch Pricing and Competition
SpinLaunch is targeting the launch industry with potential annual capacity of approximately 1825 launches per year. The payload capacity is expected to be between 200 – 400 kg. Each launch is forecast to be priced at less than $500,000. This represents between $1250 – $2500 per kg.
SpaceX Falcon 9 currently charges $6000 per kg and minimum price per launch of $300,000 per 50 kg payload. The upcoming Starship launch vehicle is expected to be significantly less than $1000 per kg.
It’s unclear what share of the launch market would utilize SpinLaunch at these price points versus sticking with existing rideshare services or using upcoming larger rockets e.g. New Glenn, Vulcan, Antares, Neutron, Relativity-R. It is important to know that SpinLaunch caters to a niche market segment, as the intense g-forces rule out launching humans or delicate instruments.
Technology Uncertainty
SpinLaunch conducted a successful test launch in late 2021, hurling a test vehicle tens of thousands of feet upwards from its New Mexico facility. This helped validate core elements of its concept and removed some technology risks.
However, this demo involved just 1/3 scale hardware running at partial power capacity. While an impressive achievement, the company still faces daunting physics and engineering obstacles in scaling up to full orbital launches.
SpinLaunch faces significant physics and engineering challenges to make the orbital launch platform technically feasible.
Physical Limits
The extreme centrifugal forces are the primary physics challenge limiting SpinLaunch. The system must withstand rotational speeds high enough to accelerate a payload to over 5,000 mph yet avoid mechanical breakdown.
SpinLaunch also must launch payloads at precise angles while instantly compensating for dramatic shifts in weight distributions when releasing payloads. This demands sophisticated control mechanisms and computing to dynamically stabilize the rapidly spinning arm.
Additionally, the payload and any components must survive acceleration forces exceeding 10,000 g to avoid structural damage during launch. Satellites and parts require hardened casings and design modifications to withstand such intense g-loading.
Scaling Up
Beyond the physics, perhaps the biggest open question is whether SpinLaunch can effectively scale up its technology. The successful suborbital test used 1/3 scale hardware running at just 20% power capacity.
The company must now build a full-scale 100-meter wide launcher and demonstrate it works at maximum power levels for orbital launches. The orbital launch platform will require significant infrastructure including: vacuum pumps, power systems, and computing.
Scaling up requires massive capital investments in facilities and hardware. It also demands consistent access to huge amounts of electricity – up to 30 megawatts per launch. The costs and infrastructure involved are challenges for achieving scale.
These are just some of the scale-up challenges SpinLaunch faces after its early suborbital success.
Customer Demand
From a market size perspective, there is no information that supports a market for 2000 launches per year of payloads between 200 – 400 kg. The company has not disclosed the minimum number of launches per year required to make the business profitable.
From a customer demand perspective, the extreme launch environmental conditions associated with the SpinLaunch platform will constrain satellite architectures, and associated components. It is not clear that the potential benefits of centrifugal launch will justify the highly customized satellite engineering effort required for SpinLaunch compatibility.
Summary
SpinLaunch has an enormously ambitious vision for transforming access to space using kinetic launch technology. It could truly expand options for deploying satellites faster and more sustainably than traditional chemical rockets.
However, monumental physics, engineering, financial, and infrastructure challenges remain before it becomes an operational reality. From advanced materials to precision tuning and hardened satellites, SpinLaunch must innovatively address a wide array of technical barriers.
It also requires massive capital to industrialize and scale up to achieving rapid launch tempos. And the market demand must materialize through securing enough commercial and government contracts to support its business model.
The early suborbital success lends credibility and suggests the core concept is viable. But the road ahead remains filled with obstacles across technical, business, and financial domains before SpinLaunch can fulfill its lofty ambitions. It has captivated the industry but must still translate its vision into tangible results.
