Launch Rail Concept

Thank-you Kent

> Interesting idea, you may want to take a look at the BiFrost Bridge
proposed
> by Marshall Savage in The Millennial Project. He proposed a MagLev
mass
> driver, the big leap in technology was that it was fueled by ice as
the
> propellant and ground based free electron lasers focused on the
ice.

Fuelling things or using ice is an interesting option, I ran across
this idea also at Forrest Bishop's South Pole Accelerator
(http://www.iase.cc/accelerator.htm).

> The energy to provide the MagLev is no where near the energy
required
> accelerate a payload via magnetic acceleration. A hybrid of your
system
> using MagLev as the rail may prove quiet workable.

This is true and it reminded me of a concept I read about a fw years
ago in Scientific American about Inductrak, I found an article about
it here (http://www.llnl.gov/str/Post.html). It utilizes a Halbach
arrays to acheive more less a passive stable MagLev system. I think
the Holloman High Speed Test Track has an experimental MagLev project
based on this Inductrak technology. This might provide a simple way
out of the rail friction.

> >The launcher system proposed I think is unique. > nice graphics on
your site!

Thanks Frank.

>
> What open source software do you use to get such results?

That was part of the problem, i did not find any open source software
solutions. I did find a sort of open source program NASA OTIS
(http://otis.grc.nasa.gov/background.shtml) but it is only available
to US-residents (I am Canadian) and SNOPT a non-linear optimization
program must be purchased to run the program.

So since I am a poor computer programmer, I programmed a series of
Excel spread sheets to create a simulation to obtain the performance
requirements. The spread sheets fit in with an open source project
since Excel is a nearly universal program to all potential
collaborators. Let me know if you are interested in the spread
sheets, I can provide you with them.

I also used a 'partially' free software solution to visualize and
calculate orbital parameters, AGI's Satellite Tool Kit Software
(www.stk.com). The base program is freely distributed, the addon
modules are not free. The company provides a 7 day free trail of
some of the addons, it is very powerful software with nice graphics.

>> I am wondering if combining your concept with an electromagnetic
> system could solve the friction problem.
>
> You would use the sled system as guidance having the sled hovering
> above the rail were needed and use the rocket propulsion for
> acceleration.
>
> The electromagnetic part of that system could probably be reduced
> compared to an electromagnetic only mass driver system.
>
I think you are right the Inductrak technology might be a simpler
way to achieve a MagLev supported rail.

>
> PS: Take a look at this catcher-satellite for your mass driver
> packets:
> www.solar-thruster-sailor.info/figs/fig9.html

Yes they are similar, ion thrusters for fine positoning of
the 'catcher' satellite might be a solution.