Orbital Launch System
A planned launcher that spins a vehicle up to about 8,000 km/h inside a giant vacuum chamber and releases it, leaving a small rocket stage to reach orbit.
Why it matters
Most of a rocket's fuel is burned in the first minutes of flight. If a spinning arm on the ground supplies that early speed, the flying part can be much smaller and cheaper per launch.
How the technology works
A carbon-fiber arm rotates inside a 100-meter steel vacuum chamber, accelerating the launch vehicle to as much as 8,000 km/h before release. After it leaves the chamber, a small propulsive stage adds the rest of the speed needed for orbit.
SpinLaunch tests the concept with a smaller Suborbital Accelerator at Spaceport America.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction