How many ways can you launch a satellite into space? Apparently you can add one more: New Scientist reports that the US Air Force is working with a private company, LaunchPoint Technologies of California, to study the use of a magnetic launch "ring" to accelerate a satellite and then fling it into space on a ramp.

The satellite would need to be encased in a steel cone of sorts, which would break away at the moment of launch. The satellite itself would need to be significantly hardened to avoid it blowing apart under the 2000 Gs of force. According to the Air Force, other objects, such as supplies for space missions, could probably survive such force and thus be launched into orbit as well.

(Image: New Scientist)