Auriga Space raises $6M to shoot rockets off an electromagnetic launch track

Auriga Space, a California-based startup, has raised $6 million to develop an innovative electromagnetic launch track designed to revolutionize space launches by significantly improving efficiency and reducing costs. Unlike traditional rockets that rely heavily on propellant to overcome Earth's gravity, Auriga’s system uses powerful magnets to accelerate a small rocket to hypersonic speeds along a ground-based track. The rocket exits the track at over six times the speed of sound and ignites its engine only for the final push to orbit. This approach not only saves propellant but also enables rapid reusability of the launch infrastructure. The company has raised a total of $12.2 million through venture capital and Department of Defense grants, with recent funding led by OTB Ventures. Auriga’s technology builds on concepts similar to rail guns and maglev systems but leverages recent advancements in power electronics to make the idea commercially viable. While the exact design parameters, such as track length and rocket size, are still being finalized, the company acknowledges challenges