How similar or different is the technology needed in maglev trains (c.f.,
http://www.techreview.com/magazine/oct01/visualize.asp ) versus that
needed to propel buckets through a lunar mass driver?
Similar but different. Lunar magnetic accelerators need fast
acceleration, the faster the better. Otherwize your track has to get
longer and longer to reach escape velocity, making it more and more
inefficient and taking longer and longer to build. Maglev trains
concentrate on lift capacity. They need to lift a train + passengers
and/or cargo. Although, Acceleration is an issue, there are limits to
the top speed for maglev trains. Air resistance, crosswinds safety,
birds, weather, ect. Nice thing about having an abiant near-vacuume,
no birds, weather or wind to worry about :)
> How similar or different is the technology needed in maglev trains
(c.f.,
> http://www.techreview.com/magazine/oct01/visualize.asp ) versus
that