LAUNCH IS NOT A SOLVED PROBLEM
Our approach is to install a piece of fixed infrastructure that is capable of launching vehicles to high hypersonic speeds. A kick stage provides the initial impulse and many side thrusters activate as the vehicle progresses down the accelerator.
By bringing the vehicle to orbital velocities on the ground, we hope to bring the cost of launch to as low as $10/kg.
Our proof of concept system built out of PVC using a foam projectile.
Our system is made up of the kickstage and side injectors, which work to push the vehicle to hypersonic speeds. The kickstage provides the impulse to send the vehicle supersonic while the side injectors squeeze the vehicle with air as it travels down the barrel. Over distance, the injectors accelerate the vehicle to hypersonic speeds.
A supersonic test using just our steel kickstage and aluminum projectile. The shown projectile was travelling at 352.4 meters per second (Mach 1.05) and is meant to test the kickstage and alignment system inside the barrel. The footage was captured at 8810 fps.
