Photo credit: arstechnica.com
SpinLaunch, a California-based aerospace company, has remained relatively under the radar despite periodic mentions in industry newsletters like the Rocket Report since its inception in 2014. The company is working on an innovative, albeit unconventional, approach to launching payloads into space: a kinetic launch system that could propel rockets to speeds approaching 4,700 mph (7,500 km/h) before they ascend into the atmosphere.
The concept involves spinning rockets at high speeds and then releasing them at approximately 40 miles (60 km) altitude, where they would ignite their engines to reach orbital velocity. This method, which the company describes as a way to “yeet” objects into space, promises a radically different approach to space launch technology.
Over the past decade, SpinLaunch has successfully attracted investment, securing more than $150 million to fund its ambitious projects. The company constructed a prototype accelerator located in New Mexico and conducted various flight tests, reportedly reaching altitudes in the “tens of thousands” of feet. These events were often showcased in polished videos that highlighted the company’s progress.
Silence from SpinLaunch
However, after a string of tests, SpinLaunch entered a period of relative silence by the end of 2022. The reasons for this lack of communication remain unclear, bringing speculation about potential funding shortfalls or technical challenges as they aimed to scale up their accelerator. Adding to the uncertainty, the company experienced a leadership change in May, when founder Jonathan Yaney stepped down, and David Wrenn, the former chief operating officer, took the helm.
Wrenn expressed optimism about SpinLaunch’s future, stating, “I am confident in our ability to execute on the company’s mission and bring our integrated tech stack of low-cost space solutions to market.” Despite such assurances, the jargon-laden language raised questions about the clarity of the company’s objectives, and numerous observers noted the absence of detailed plans or updates following Wrenn’s comments nearly a year ago.
Source
arstechnica.com