Start-up company Guoyao Tech is developing a novel launch system that is based on electromagnetic technology that would deliver satellites and humans into space and the firm has now announced a roadmap to complete a prototype launch of 10 kg by 2022 and a short-range tonnage launch via electromagnetic propulsion by 2023.
The company was founded in 2017 and emerged into the public eye in 2018 after acquiring seed funding and after hiring Dr. Yadong Zhang as the CTO. In October of 2019, after the company successfully completed the prototype electromagnetic launcher, the firm secured $1.5 million in Series A funding.
Dr. Zhang said that the electromagnetic launching technology has a huge potential in Aerospace and the technology is not just limited to rocket launch, as it can also be applied to various forms of civil rescue and field exploration scenarios.
Guoyao is attempting to cut the cost of manned, LEO launch to $2.6 million per launch by 2025. This will be the only electromagnetic launch system that will be capable of sending human into orbit without the traditional use of chemical rockets, according to the firm.
Executive Comment
“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,” CTO Zhang noted. “Our team has a strong background in electromagnetic launching technology and can quickly start the technology validation phase. 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. There is no environmental damage from electromagnetic launch and there is a low risk of storage management. The use of electromagnetic launch technology could eventually replace the first stage of rocket propulsion and can be done without the need for staged propulsion, throwing the satellite directly into near-Earth orbit. Electromagnetic launch is inexpensive when compared to conventional chemical rockets. The company aims to cut launch costs to $600 per kilogram of payload.”