This Startup Aims To Catapult Satellites Into Space

A stealthy startup is preparing to hurl satellites into orbit using a giant centrifuge, potentially slashing launch costs by 90% and transforming the space industry. The company, widely believed to be SpinLaunch based on earlier filings and patents, has secured over $100 million in funding and conducted successful test launches at its New Mexico facility. Instead of burning rocket fuel, its kinetic launch system spins a projectile at hypersonic speeds inside a vacuum chamber before releasing it through a launch tube. The projectile then coasts to space using a small onboard rocket for final orbit insertion. This radical approach could make satellite launches as routine as air freight, with the company targeting its first commercial payload by 2028. The concept has attracted support from major investors including Kleiner Perkins, Airbus Ventures, and private individuals, though the company remains tight-lipped about exact milestones. If successful, the technology could bypass the traditional rocket industry's bottlenecks—congested launch ranges, high propellant costs, and long turnaround times. The startup's method eliminates the need for large first-stage engines, relying instead on a strong mechanical system that can be reused thousands of times with minimal maintenance. The environmental impact is also lower, as the system runs on electricity rather than chemical propellants, producing no carbon emissions during the launch phase. This aligns with growing regulatory pressure on the aerospace sector to adopt greener practices. The company faces significant engineering challenges, including managing extreme G-forces on delicate satellite electronics and achieving precise orbital insertion. Its payload capacity is currently limited to small satellites under 200 kg, which limits its addressable market but covers a large portion of the burgeoning smallsat and megaconstellation segments. Competitors such as Astra and Rocket Lab are watching closely; some analysts believe kinetic launch could become a niche but vital part of the space logistics chain. The broader implication is a potential democratization of space access, where universities and small companies can afford dedicated launches without riding as secondary payloads. The first commercial launches will be closely watched by insurers and regulators, who must adapt to this entirely new method of reaching orbit. The startup's next major test is expected within months, and the outcome could determine whether this centuries-old idea—catapulting objects—finally becomes a viable path to space.