Spin Launch: A Centrifugal Sling to Orbit Reimagines Space Access

PBS NOVA examines Spin Launch, a bold approach to putting payloads into orbit using a giant centrifuge. The concept, inspired by ancient slings, accelerates a payload inside a vacuum chamber to extreme speeds, then releases it at high altitude where two small rocket engines finish the journey to low Earth orbit. The program follows the team as they build a 1/8 scale proof of concept, validate individual components under up to 10,000 g, and progressively test at larger scales in New Mexico desert. It reveals the meticulous engineering, battery and subsystem challenges, and the emotional milestones as 10 consecutive tests succeed, signaling a potential shift in how we access space.

Overview

PBS NOVA presents Spin Launch, a novel space launch concept that uses a rotating arm to generate extreme speeds and hurl a payload toward orbit. Built on the principle of the ancient sling, the system spins a payload inside a near vacuum and releases it at altitude so that rocket engines carried with the payload can complete the ascent to low Earth orbit. The piece outlines both the physics and the engineering road map, emphasizing why current rockets carry so much mass as fuel and how Spin Launch aims to change that dynamic.

The Spin Launch Concept

The core idea is to convert rotational speed into launch velocity. Electricity drives the arm to speeds well beyond the speed of sound, with the payload experiencing up to 10,000 g's of acceleration before release. At about 40 miles up, the aeroshell separates and two small rocket engines propel the payload the rest of the way into low Earth orbit. The spinning arm and the release mechanism must be exquisitely precise, as even tiny timing errors could spell failure given the extreme forces involved.

Engineering Challenges

The project faces significant hurdles, including constructing a structure capable of withstanding immense stresses, ensuring reliable timing, and designing subsystems that survive the extreme G-forces. A CubeSat and its subsystems are used as test subjects to evaluate how electronics, batteries, solar cells, and onboard computers endure the spin and acceleration. The batteries proved particularly vulnerable, requiring redesigns and reorientation to withstand the load. The inside of the accelerator is a vacuum chamber to eliminate air friction and heat buildup during spin up and spin down.

Proof of Concept and Testing

The team begins with an 1/8 scale mass accelerator to validate key technologies. After incremental tests, they progress to 1/3 scale flight tests in New Mexico, aiming to demonstrate the ability to spin a payload to over 1000 mph and then release it for subsequent propulsion. Ten successful back-to-back tests at scalable levels demonstrate robustness and build confidence in the overall concept. The emotional and psychological aspects of taking the system to scale are highlighted, illustrating the human effort behind engineering breakthroughs.

Implications for Space Access

If scalable and reliable, Spin Launch could complement or even transform how we deliver small satellites to orbit, potentially reducing fuel mass and cost per mission. The approach highlights a broader trend in space infrastructure that blends traditional rocketry with innovative mechanical systems, aiming to increase launch cadence and expand access for CubeSats and other small payloads. The program emphasizes the importance of rigorous engineering, verification, and incremental progress when attempting such a radical shift in space technology.

Conclusion

Spin Launch represents a fusion of ancient sling physics with modern materials and precision engineering. The New Mexico desert tests mark a milestone in validating the concept, while ongoing work focuses on refining subsystems to survive extreme accelerations. The narrative frames Spin Launch as part of a broader movement to diversify and accelerate access to space through novel technologies and careful, methodical testing.