SpinLaunch aims to break SpaceX record

A space startup that became famous for catapulting objects into space using a giant centrifuge now wants to break one of SpaceX's most impressive records, which is launching 143 satellites in a single flight and to break the record SpinLaunch has just announced plans to launch up to 250 microsatellites at once, but there is a curious detail, despite having developed an innovative kinetic launch technology SpinLaunch will also start its launches with traditional rockets. The reason the constellation needs to be in space as soon as possible and the company's catapult system is not yet ready, the constellation is called Meridian Space and promises to offer higher broadband capacity than Starlink itself, according to the company the satellites will be developed in collaboration with Kongsberg NanoAvionics. The idea is to form a robust and fast network to connect the world efficiently, the plan to use traditional rockets at this early stage accelerates the implementation timeline, but Spin Lounge's vision remains clear, in the future all launches will be made using its own kinetic launch system that works like a huge electromechanical catapult. A 33-meter spinning arm accelerates the payload up to 8,000 km/h before launching it into space through a sealed tube the idea is to reduce by up to 70% the need for fuel and heavy infrastructure required for a traditional launch. In 2022 the company impressed the world by launching a NASA payload with its suborbital accelerator demonstrating that the technology will be more than a concept, in collaboration with Portland State University it was also demonstrated that a Cubeset survived 10,000 g of acceleration reinforcing the physical feasibility of the method, although SpinLaunch's focus is not the development of the Meridian Space constellation relies heavily on intelligent algorithms for the control and networked operation of the microsatellites.

With the growth of on-board computing and autonomous constellation management, integration between guidance and telecommunication systems is likely to be a competitive advantage for the company and in the near future, the company is betting on a parallel approach using traditional rockets to launch the first satellites while it finalizes the development of its Orbital Launch system. According to CEO Dav this strategy reduces risks, accelerates satellite validation and builds credibility in the market while the revolutionary technology matures if it works SpinLaunch will be able to launch payloads with lower cost, lower environmental impact and greater efficiency this opens up space for applications in remote connectivity, internet of things, environmental monitoring, disaster response and much more. SpinLaunch promises not only to break a SpaceX record, but also to reinvent the way we launch objects into space, even using traditional rockets at first its disruptive proposal is still alive and closer to becoming reality.