
Chinese
Startup Wants to Replace Chemical Rocket with
Electromagnetic Power to Launch Satellites
September 20, 2020
Guangzhou-based company Guoyao Tech
announced a roadmap to complete a prototype launch of 10
kg by 2022 and short-range tonnage launch by
electromagnetic by 2023. The company is developing a
novel launch system - based on electromagnetic
technology that would essentially bring satellite and
human into space.
The company was founded in 2017 and
emerged into the public eye in 2018 after acquiring seed
funding and hired Dr Yadong Zhang as the Chief
Technology Officer. In October 2019, after the company
successfully completed the prototype electromagnetic
launcher, it secured $1.5 million in Series A funding.
Dr Yadong Zhang, spokesperson and
Chief Technology Officer at Guoyao said that the
electromagnetic launching technology has a huge
potential in Aerospace but not just limited to rocket
launch. It can also be applied to various forms of civil
rescue and field exploration scenarios. "In early 2020,
our team has successfully produced the world's first
electromagnetic thrower for commercial use. The rescue
equipment product has been granted 20 innovation patents
in China. And by August, the production capacity can
reach up to 150,000 units a year," Zhang added.
Guoyao is attempting to cut the
cost of manned, low Earth orbit (LEO) launch to $2.6
million per launch by 2025. It will be the only
electromagnetic launch system that will be capable of
sending human into orbit without the traditional use of
chemical rockets.
Zhang further explained that "Our
team has a strong background in electromagnetic
launching technology and can quickly start the
technology validation phase. And just to talk about a
few advantages of the electromagnetic launch.
The operation is flexible and can
allow multiple payloads per day into Low Earth orbit,
which can fully meet the launching demand of future
commercial and military satellites.
No environmental damage from
electromagnetic launch and low risk of storage
management
The use of electromagnetic launch
technology could eventually replace the first stage of
rocket propulsion. The electromagnetic launch can be
done without the need for staged propulsion, and can
throw satellite directly into near-Earth orbit.
Electromagnetic launch is
inexpensive compared to conventional chemical rockets.
We aim to cut the launch cost to $600 per kilogram of
payload."
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