Summary:
SpinLaunch successfully tested a satellite at 10,000Gs, proving its durability.
Collaboration with Portland State University led to innovative design adjustments.
The company aims to create a cost-effective and eco-friendly launch system.
10-fold reduction in launch costs and 70% fuel savings compared to traditional rockets.
Recent funding of $11.5 million will help advance development efforts.
SpinLaunch Proves Satellites Can Survive the Spin
SpinLaunch has recently demonstrated that satellites are more durable than expected. The California-based startup has been working on an innovative method to catapult payloads into space using a gigantic centrifuge. In their latest test, they successfully accelerated a small satellite to 10,000Gs, proving its ability to withstand extreme gravitational forces.
A Milestone Achievement
In a groundbreaking demonstration, SpinLaunch tested an off-the-shelf satellite equipped with ruggedized components. This test marks a significant achievement for the company as it develops a centrifugal launch system designed to deliver small satellites to low-Earth orbit. According to Sev Sandomirsky, director of satellite programs at SpinLaunch, this demonstration serves as a valuable engineering case study for prospective launch customers.
Collaboration with Academia
SpinLaunch collaborated with Portland State University’s open-source CubeSat program, OreSat, for this test. They made several design adjustments to ensure the satellite could endure the intense conditions of the launch. Key modifications included:
- Rotating battery cells to act as structural pillars
- Using Aluminum 7075 for enhanced strength
- Reinforcing circuit boards to reduce stress on sensitive components
Surprisingly, only minimal modifications were needed for the 1U CubeSat to survive the extreme conditions. Sandomirsky noted that many modern satellite components are already capable of withstanding high-g environments.
Vision for the Future
Founded in 2014, SpinLaunch aims to create a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method of delivering payloads to space. Their kinetic launch system is designed to reduce launch costs by 10-fold and fuel usage by 70% compared to traditional chemical rockets. The company has successfully tested its 108-foot A-33 accelerator at Spaceport America and is inching closer to its vision of revolutionizing satellite launches.
Recent Developments
SpinLaunch's CEO, David Wrenn, emphasized that their system could lower costs, increase launch frequency, and promote sustainable space exploration. Recently, the company raised $11.5 million in funding to further develop its technology and continue testing satellites under extreme conditions.
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