Giant spinning cannon could blast hundreds of pancake-like 'microsatellites' into space

A California -based startup plans to launch hundreds of flattened "microsatellites" into low- Earth orbit at once.

SpinLaunch is a private company that aims to fire rockets out of a giant centrifugal cannon.

The first batch of pancake-like satellites could be shot into space as soon as next year .

If all the satellites are successfully delivered into space next year , it would set a new record for most spacecraft launched at once, currently held by SpaceX's Transporter-1 mission.

His recent work on the solar maximum won "best space submission" at the 2024 Aerospace Media Awards and was shortlisted in the "top scoop" category at the NCTJ Awards for Excellence in 2023 . He also writes Live Science's weekly Earth from space series. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. Secretive Russian military satellites release mystery object into orbit Watch a private German rocket explode during 1st orbital launch attempt from European soil (video).