The space technology firm will manifest and fly the first payload of NASA on a developmental test flight later this year
The A-33 Suborbital Mass Accelerator launch system of SpinLaunch. (Credit: Business Wire)
SpinLaunch has signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA to develop, integrate, and fly a payload of the latter on its Suborbital Accelerator launch system.
According to the space technology firm, the partnership is aimed at delivering valuable information to the US space agency for possible commercial launch opportunities in the future.
SpinLaunch said that its Suborbital Accelerator launch system by using a rotating carbon-fiber-arm within a 300ft diameter steel vacuum chamber will accelerate a launch vehicle containing a satellite up to 5,000 miles per hour. This procedure is said to remove more than 70% of the fuel and structures that constitute a typical rocket.
A part of NASA’s Flight Opportunities programme, the Space Act Agreement demonstrates potential technologies for space exploration, discovery, and the expansion of space commerce via suborbital testing with industry flight providers.
SpinLaunch said that it will manifest and fly the first payload of NASA on a developmental test flight later this year. The company will be responsible for providing means for post-flight recovery of payload back to the space agency.
The parties will jointly work for analysing the data and evaluating the system for flight opportunities in the future. Following a full review, NASA and SpinLaunch are expected to publish all the information on non-proprietary launch environment from the test flight.
SpinLaunch founder and CEO Jonathan Yaney said: “SpinLaunch is offering a unique suborbital flight and high-speed testing service, and the recent launch agreement with NASA marks a key inflection point as SpinLaunch shifts focus from technology development to commercial offerings.
“What started as an innovative idea to make space more accessible has materialized into a technically mature and game-changing approach to launch. We look forward to announcing more partners and customers soon, and greatly appreciate NASA’s continued interest and support in SpinLaunch.”