Question regarding Mass drivers

Good question. Here are my thoughts. I think that the issue comes
down to economics and the technical limitations on the mass driver.

The energy required to launch a payload will be defined as
E=1/2mv^2. So if you double the mass the energy will need to be
doubled. This effect will ripple through the whole planning scenario.

Next, as you increase the payload mass you'll have to increase the
diameter of the mass driver coils through which the payload will be
accelerated. Will this increase the energy cost (completely apart
from the cost of accelerating the payload itself) of running the
mass driver? What effect will the increased diameter have on the
magnetic fields? What stresses on the mass driver will an increased
payload cause?

Despite what I've written above, I happen to agree with you. I don't
know the payload mass limits of a functioning lunar mass driver. For
my own calculations I'm using a figure of 1 ft^3 of lunar regolith,
mass of 171 lbs, launched once per second. Is it technically
feasible? I have no idea. But when the scenario calls for more mass
to be launched, I keep expanding the number of mass drivers. The
result is one loading yard and one return/deceleration rail and many
acceleration rails. It kind of looks like a train station with many
tracks all merging into one (return/deceleration.)

Hope this helps.

--- In spacesettlers@y..., Bala wrote: