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2 Kilometre Wide Magnetic Ring to Launch Satellites
By DivineOmega | October 3, 2006
A new study, funded by the United States Air Force has concluded that a huge magnetic launch ring could be used to accelerate satellites to incredible velocities before ‘flinging them’ into space, at which point only minor adjustments would be needed to ensure the satellite stayed in orbit of Earth. The launch ring would be very similar to the particle accelerators used for physics experiments, with superconducting magnets placed around a 2 kilometre wide ring.
An artist’s impression of the magnetic ring is shown below.
The satellites would be accelerated over a period of hours, before being suddenly flung into space at 23 times the speed of sound. These satellites would be engineered to withstand the g-forces encountered (2,000 g), and be cased in an streamlined, aerodynamic shell. A two-year study will begin within a few weeks at LaunchPoint Technologies in Goleta, California.
Tags: Air Force, Science, Space, Technology, USA |