Using magnets in a huge circular track to launch satellites into orbit could make it easier and less wasteful than current methods, say the findings of a U.S. Air Force funded project.

Of course, there are positives and negatives, though the project is still in the research phase. Though proponents say it could prove to be cheaper to use, the launch cargo would have to withstand huge amounts of g force which could prove difficult with things such as communications satellites. There are other issues, such as keeping the pieces from overheating, and navigating the atmosphere, though the researchers are hopeful they can overcome these obstacles.

The reason I’m posting this is two fold. On the positive side is the potential to seriously reduce the amount of rocket fuel the space industry would need to use to launch satellites as well as the potential for less rocket components needing to be manufactured. On the negative, this technology could make launching a satellite much more accessible to not only space programs meaning more satellites being thrown up into orbit. This could lead to a huge increase in space junk.

Some more links concerning space junk:

National Geographic: Space Junk Cleanup Needed NASA Experts Warn

Check out the animation on this page by the BBC

Another article on space junk on space.com

Read more on the project here