Elon Musk plans to put a satellite catapult on the Moon… yes, seriously

Elon Musk’s latest vision for deep-space exploration revives a 50-year-old concept: using a massive electromagnetic catapult on the lunar surface to launch satellites into the void.

Elon Musk is reviving a visionary 1970s concept by proposing the installation of a massive electromagnetic "mass driver" on the lunar surface. Instead of relying on traditional chemical rockets, this system functions like a high-tech railgun, using magnetic forces to accelerate AI satellites along a track until they are flung into deep space. The physics behind the plan is exceptionally efficient; because the moon has only one-sixth of Earth’s gravity and no atmosphere to create drag, payloads can reach escape velocity with minimal energy. Originally proposed by MIT physicist Gerard O’Neill in 1974, the project aims to transform our celestial neighbor into a primary hub for space-based manufacturing and deployment.

The economic appeal of a lunar catapult lies in its ability to utilize local resources, allowing factories to mine silicon, aluminum, and water ice directly from the moon. This self-sustaining model would be powered by solar energy, bypassing the massive costs and fuel requirements of launching heavy cargo from Earth’s deep gravitational well. However, the engineering hurdles are significant, as the hardware must survive abrasive lunar dust and extreme temperature swings while maintaining precise trajectories to avoid creating space debris. If realized, this ambitious system could replace expensive rocket boosters with the sheer power of electromagnetism, establishing the moon as the ultimate gateway to the stars.

source: Space.com. (2026). Elon Musk Wants to Put a Satellite Catapult on the Moon. It’s Not a New Idea.