Mass drivers

On Jul 08, 2006, at 18:11 UTC, sraj wrote:

> As I understand it, the mass driver is an electric linear motor of
> considerable length - as much as 2 Km long. Only with such length will it be
> possible to accelerate a substantial mass. Because it is an electric motor,
> the magnetic field can be altered suitably as the mass speeds up. Probably the
> mass will have to be levitated magnetically to reduce friction. I understand
> the coils will have to be supercooled to increase electrical conductivity.....
> Wonder whether anyone is attempting to design such a system - even 5Km/s
> ejection velocity (in vacuum) will be something.

It's not as hard as you make it sound. SSI achieved lunar escape velocity with their "Mass Driver III" demonstrator back in the '80s.

Best,
- Joe

Joe Strout -- joe@...