--- title: "Amazon Patented a System That Literally Whips Stuff Into Orbit" description: "A newly published Amazon patent that dates back to 2017 lays out plans for a ship-based launch system that whips paylods into space using a miles-long whip." date: "2020-02-14" modified: "2020-02-14" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/amazon-patented-system-whips-stuff-space" categories: - "Off-World" - "Space" tags: - "Amazon" - "patent" - "satellites" - "the digest" --- # Amazon Patented a System That Literally Whips Stuff Into Orbit ![A newly published Amazon patent that dates back to 2017 lays out plans for a ship-based launch system that whips paylods into space using a miles-long whip.]() *\Image: UPSTO/Amazon\* ## Whip It A [newly-published patent]() dating back to 2017 lays out plans for a ship-based launch system that whips payloads into orbit using a miles-long whip that is being guided by a whole bunch of drones, [according to *GeekWire*](). The goal's to increase energy efficiency by reducing the fuel needed to get to altitude. The system, dreamed up by Amazon Air VP Gur Kimchi and (winningly-named) senior Amazon inventor Louis LeRoi LeGrand III is surprisingly detailed in its patent application. It's an unusual concept: a miles-long whip is attached to a boat on one end, and a drone carrying the payload on the other end. A series of additional drones attached to the length of the whip fly up and down to generate a whip waveform. The end with the payload then cracks like a whip, sending the payload flying. The system could be scaled down to even fling smaller packages attached to aerial vehicles into the air as well. Payloads could even be flung from planes mid-air. But the main focus of the application is on space-based applications — think satellites. ## Ride the Whip It's not the first (and likely, is far from the last) crazy concept dreamed up by Amazon. There's the patent for a system that would [place warehouse workers in metal cages]() to protect them from robots, [flying warehouses]() filled with delivery drones, and even [tracking wristbands]() that spy on warehouse workers. Will we ever see giant satellite whips in action in the future? Unlikely. "Patents take multiple years to receive and do not necessarily reflect our current product roadmap," an Amazon spokesperson told *GeekWire* in an email. **READ MORE:** [Whip it good! Amazon patents a launch system for snapping payloads into the air — or even into orbit]() \[*GeekWire*\] **More on Amazon patents:** *[A New Amazon Camera Patent Is Straight Out of “1984”]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()