Railgun space launcher

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2010

Abstract

A method and facilities for delivering payload and people into outer space are presented. This method uses, in general, engines located on a planetary surface. The installation consists of a space apparatus, power drive stations, which include a fly-wheel accumulator (for storage) of energy, a variable reducer, a powerful homopolar electric generator, and electric rails. The drive stations accelerate the apparatus up to hypersonic speed. The estimations and computations show the possibility of making this project a reality in a short period of time (for payloads that can tolerate high g forces). The launch will be very cheap at a projected cost of $3-$5/lb. The authors developed a theory of this type of the launcher. © 2010 ASCE.

Identifier

77956825101 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Journal of Aerospace Engineering

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)AS.1943-5525.0000041

ISSN

08931321

First Page

293

Last Page

299

Issue

4

Volume

23

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