It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Alexa!

Amazon has filed a patent application for an energy-efficient launch system that literally whips items into the air.

The system is designed to launch aerial vehicles and/or payloads carried by aerial vehicles using whip dynamics by using a cable that has the items attached (but removable) to it. Just as Indian Jones’ whip can break the sound barrier and “crack”, the cable of the system generates a waveform that accelerates as it propagates toward the free end.

The result is the aerial package or payload being flung into the air or low earth orbit. By using whip dynamics, the fuel commonly used in launching these materials is said to be avoided.

Author: Matthew Buck