NASA is testing a massive catapult-like device aimed at tossing small satellites into orbit.
The U.S. space agency is teaming up with California-based company SpinLaunch, which is working on a spinning arm that can hurl payloads at incredible speeds into the upper atmosphere and on to space.
The system is environmentally friendly and could drastically lower the cost of satellites reaching orbit. It was in part inspired by the work of American and Canadian researchers more than 50 years ago.
“It really shows our ability as a species to come up with new and novel ideas,” says York University astronomer Paul Delaney. “It’s very exciting.”
The startup has built a prototype in New Mexico. It's the height of the Statue of Liberty and consists of a centrifuge inside a vacuum chamber. A rocket is loaded onto the large carbon-fiber arm, which is powered by electric motors.
Eventually they hope to get the arm to spin up to 450 rotations per minute with the rocket reaching a speed of around 8,000 km/h before being released. Once hurled into the upper atmosphere, a small engine would then kick in to push the satellite to its orbital destination.
In a company video, former director of NASA Ames research Pete Worden says, “The real advantage of SpinLaunch is that most of the energy needed doesn’t have to be carried with you.”
Rockets require massive amounts of fuel to get their payloads into space. It made up 90 per cent of the mass of the Saturn V, which carried astronauts towards the moon. SpinLaunch would require 70 per cent less fuel than a traditional rocket.
“Everything that I can see about SpinLaunch suggests that 20 to 200 kilogram payloads can be launched very successfully and quite inexpensively this way,” says Delaney.
The CEO and founder of SpinLaunch, Jonathan Yaney, has said the idea was in part inspired by a military project in the 1960s that involved both Canadian and American researchers. They used giant guns to fire projectiles into the upper atmosphere at speeds fast enough to get into space. The project was called HARP, which stood for High Altitude Research Project.
Yaney has said it was the closest alternative to using rockets.
“I really took a look at it from just a fresh perspective and that’s when the idea of a rotational accelerator came up,” said Yaney in a video released by the company.
SpinLaunch is now planning to build a launcher three times larger than the one in New Mexico, and hopes to fling its first satellite into orbit by 2025.
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
The idea of “Rumspringa” has a specific spot in the American imagination. A rite of passage for young people in some Amish communities, Rumspringa is seen by most outsiders as a wild time away from strict Amish rules, when teenagers can experiment with the modern vices of the world.
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
Approximately 250 residents of a St. James area apartment building will have to leave their homes immediately, as the City of Winnipeg issued a vacate order over unsafe conditions.
Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation (STF) president Samantha Becotte says she was not surprised that teachers voted no to the province's latest contract offer. Both sides appear ready and willing to resume negotiations.
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
A soon-to-be-released Biden administration review of Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in its war in Gaza does not conclude that Israel has violated the terms for their use, according to three people who have been briefed on the matter.
A judge put Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson under a court conservatorship to oversee his personal and medical affairs after the legendary songwriter’s doctor reported that he has a major neurocognitive disorder.
The idea of “Rumspringa” has a specific spot in the American imagination. A rite of passage for young people in some Amish communities, Rumspringa is seen by most outsiders as a wild time away from strict Amish rules, when teenagers can experiment with the modern vices of the world.
Talks to draw up a global pact to help fight future pandemics have ended without a draft agreement by the expected deadline, but progress has been made, the World Health Organization said on Friday.
A court in Romania's capital on Friday extended geographical restrictions against an online influencer who is awaiting trial on charges of human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women.
Melody Felicano Johnson was initially charged with attempted first-degree murder and pleaded guilty to two counts of the lesser felony charge of adding poison or a harmful substance to food or drink in April.
Justin Trudeau says Meta is making billions off people, but taking no responsibility for the well-being of communities they profit from.
Canada is putting $76 million towards a German-led effort to help Ukraine defend itself from Russian missiles and aircraft, Defence Minister Bill Blair announced Friday.
Federal and provincial ministers are meeting in Montreal Friday to hash out how to shrink the number of temporary residents in Canada.
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Italy's Health Ministry has updated its guidelines on medically assisted reproduction, allowing access for women who requested the procedure with their male partner but who have since become separated or widowed.
Justin Trudeau says Meta is making billions off people, but taking no responsibility for the well-being of communities they profit from.
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Dutch singer Joost Klein was not allowed to participate in either of Friday's two rehearsals ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest following an 'incident,' the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the event, said in a statement.
American stand-up comedian Dave Chappelle will be performing in Toronto next week.
The Ontario government says it will be supporting Ontario Power Generation's plan to refurbish the R. H. Saunders Generating Station on the St. Lawrence River.
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
A fake website selling lawn mowers and snow blowers at a 90 per cent discount are 'in no way associated with' Honda Canada, the company is warning consumers.
Spain's Balearic Islands are further cracking down on public drinking and party boats as part of modifications to a 2020 decree that addressed 'excess tourism.'
Lorraine Peters from New Brunswick looks forward to sharing her message on a national stage for women to have the confidence, and courage to pursue whatever they choose no matter their age
If you’ve ever had a tough time figuring out an espresso machine, a Guelph, Ont. man has you covered.
Kylian Mbappe confirmed what the soccer world was long expecting to hear, announcing he is leaving Paris Saint-Germain ahead of a widely expected move to Real Madrid.
Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl is questionable for today's Game 2 against the Vancouver Canucks.
A competitive curler from Regina, who is also a freelance creative director and interdisciplinary designer, was hired to create apparel for this year's championships.
Tesla will spend more than US$500 million to expand its fast-charging network, CEO Elon Musk said on Friday, days after abruptly laying off employees who were running the business.
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
A small Ajax dessert shop that recently received a glowing review from celebrity food critic Keith Lee is being forced to move after a zoning complaint was made following the social media influencer’s visit last month.
The Canada Science and Technology Museum is inviting visitors to explore their poop. A new exhibition opens at the Ottawa museum on Friday called, 'Oh Crap! Rethinking human waste.'
The Regina Police Service says it is the first in Saskatchewan and possibly Canada to implement new technology in its detention facility that will offer real-time monitoring of detainees’ vital health metrics.
The stakes have been set for a bet between Vancouver and Edmonton's mayors on who will win Round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
A grieving mother is hosting a helmet drive in the hopes of protecting children on Manitoba First Nations from a similar tragedy that killed her daughter.
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
A P.E.I. lighthouse and a New Brunswick river are being honoured in a Canada Post series.
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mounties in Coquitlam are asking people to check their storage lockers after recovering more than $50,000 worth of stolen sports memorabilia last weekend.
Drivers travelling along the Sea to Sky Highway between West Vancouver and Squamish Friday afternoon were warned to expect major delays.
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
The City of Calgary has approved more than two-dozen recommendations to improve safety and vibrancy in the downtown core.
Fort Macleod RCMP are seeking public assistance in relation to an attempt to steal fuel from a gas station that left a mess.
A 20-year-old man is facing a charge of second-degree murder in connection to a fatal shooting during a poker game in Ottawa's Manor Park neighbourhood.
A high school student at Granite Ridge Education Centre in Sharbot Lake, Ont. died in a single-vehicle crash on Thursday. Five other students were injured in the crash.
The City of Ottawa's new three-garbage item limit for household waste will take effect on Sept. 30, with a three-month phase-in period for the limit. As of December, collection staff will only collect three garbage items from households every two weeks.
A 43-year-old man has been charged after a driver was struck and killed while changing a tire on the side of a Highway 15 near Montreal on Thursday.
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Just the thought that he may come face to face with Lionel Messi has CF Montreal captain Samuel Piette pinching himself. On Saturday, the global icon will make his first professional trip to Canada as Montreal plays host to Messi's Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer action at Stade Saputo.
David Moss, the man who murdered seven-year-old Bella Rose Desrosiers, broke down in court Friday as the girl's family spoke about the toll her death has taken on them.
Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl is questionable for today's Game 2 against the Vancouver Canucks.
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
New Brunswick rolled out six pharmacy clinics in August and September last year and feedback has been mostly very positive.
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
RCMP say seven people have been arrested and charged in connection with a kidnapping and assault in Tobique First Nation, N.B.
Businesses in the Clear Lake area are concerned about the future following a temporary ban on watercraft from entering the lake.
Approximately 250 residents of a St. James area apartment building will have to leave their homes immediately, as the City of Winnipeg issued a vacate order over unsafe conditions.
A 22-year veteran of the Winnipeg Police Service took the stand Friday in the ongoing trial of accused serial killer Jeremy Skibicki.
Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation (STF) president Samantha Becotte says she was not surprised that teachers voted no to the province's latest contract offer. Both sides appear ready and willing to resume negotiations.
Saskatchewan sky watchers say the conditions are perfect for a vibrant show of aurora borealis starting on Friday night.
A competitive curler from Regina, who is also a freelance creative director and interdisciplinary designer, was hired to create apparel for this year's championships.
A young prodigy pianist is set to perform alongside former members of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, as part of a benefit concert.
Could you survive for 72 hours following a natural disaster? The Region of Waterloo is hoping that question sparks a conversation around emergency preparedness.
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation (STF) president Samantha Becotte says she was not surprised that teachers voted no to the province's latest contract offer. Both sides appear ready and willing to resume negotiations.
Improved mine automation helped fertilizer giant Nutrien Ltd. increase potash production in the first quarter amid strong demand for its products, the company's chief executive said.
Saskatchewan sky watchers say the conditions are perfect for a vibrant show of aurora borealis starting on Friday night.
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
A large group of Canadian and U.S. defendants have been fined $178,400 plus $44,525 in surcharges for a variety of moose hunting violations in northwestern Ontario.
A northern Ontario couple who ran afoul of Ontario’s building code used arguments reminiscent of radical anti-government groups in a failed attempt to defend their stance in court.
A suspicious fire in London is under investigation by police and fire officials. According to London fire, crews knocked down the scene in an “offensive strategy.”
The London Majors is debuting a new look ahead of the 2024 season. Fans can expect changes ton the brand and on-field look as well as two new logos to celebrate the 100th season of the majors.
Officials at the St. Thomas Elgin Food Bank report a 50 per cent jump in usage over the past three years.
Provincial police are investigating after extensive damage was done to Hydro One equipment in Muskoka.
A recent change in curbside collection has left some green-thumbed enthusiasts scratching their heads as bags of yard waste linger by the curb, awaiting pickup.
The charge against a Wasaga Beach man has been upgraded to second-degree murder after police say the victim died more than two months after an alleged assault.
The unemployment rate in Windsor increased dramatically last month and is the highest in Canada, according to Statistics Canada.
A dispute between the federal and provincial governments over the National Housing Strategy nearly put the City of Windsor $7 million in the hole and questions still remain over when and how much funding the city will receive.
OPP are informing the public of a crash on the Highway 401 ramps at Queens Line in Chatham-Kent.
Police in Saanich, B.C., say an assault investigation is underway following two alleged incidents at a pro-Palestinian protest encampment on the grounds of the University of Victoria.
Police in Victoria are appealing to the public to identify a man who allegedly took photos or video of a woman in a change room at a downtown store Wednesday afternoon.
A 29-year-old man is facing a dozen robbery charges after a months-long string of burglaries at Vancouver businesses.
After four targeted shootings in four days, Mounties in Kamloops are taking the unusual step of warning the public about two men they believe are likely to be targeted in future violent incidents.
Images of steelhead and trout flicker over long sheets of paper, brought to life in blue and green crayon rubbings by the thousands.
A man was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a shooting in Kamloops Monday evening, the fourth incident police say is part of an ongoing drug conflict playing out on the city's streets.
Thousands of messages were sent between a teenage girl in the U.S. and an Alberta man posing as a young boy, a police investigation has revealed.
After a dry winter, southern Alberta farmers were expecting it to be another tough growing season.
Rural crime is on the decline, the RCMP said in a media statement released by the Southern Alberta District (SAD) late Wednesday afternoon.
Residents of a home on McNabb Street in the Sault received a scary wake-up call this week when a vehicle crashed into their residence.
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
A 21-year-old northern Ontario man is charged with several sexual offences after police received a complaint about an inappropriate relationship with a 13-year-old girl.
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Health officials say there is an outbreak of whooping cough in eastern Newfoundland.
Ontario Provincial Police are facing tough questions about their search for a missing Newfoundland trucker whose rig was found two weeks ago in Ontario, then sent back to Newfoundland, where his body was found Monday in the trailer.
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