Device for launching a projectile and method for launching a projectile

Device for launching a projectile comprising:

• a chamber provided with a side wall and an ejection port;
• a rotation arm mounted rotating around a rotation shaft, the rotation arm being arranged to rotate around the rotation shaft in the chamber, the rotation arm extending in a radial direction;
• a pad mounted on a first end of the rotation arm and designed to receive the projectile, the pad moving with a circular movement in the chamber;
• a pumping system configured to place the inside of the chamber in a vacuum;
• wherein the pad comprises a nozzle connected to a source of first gas, the nozzle ejecting a flow of first gas directed to make the pad advance with a circular movement inside the chamber;
• wherein the side wall defines at least one track designed to support the pad in the radial direction;
• and
• wherein the at least one track, the pad and a second gas define an aerodynamic bearing between the at least one track and the pad so that the at least one track takes up at least a part of the efforts of the pad in the radial direction.