Preliminary feasibility assessment for Earth-to-space electromagnetic (Railgun) launchers

By National Aeronautics and Space Administration

An Earth to space electromagnetic (railgun) launcher (ESRL) for launching material into space was studied. Potential ESRL applications were identified and initially assessed to formulate preliminary system requirements. The potential applications included nuclear waste disposal in space, Earth orbital applications, deep space probe launchers, atmospheric research, and boost of chemical rockets. The ESRL system concept consisted of two separate railgun launcher tubes (one at 20 deg from the horizontal for Earth orbital missions, the other vertical for solar system escape disposal missions) powered by a common power plant. Each 2040 m launcher tube is surrounded by 10,200 homopolar generator/inductor units to transmit the power to the walls. Projectile masses are 6500 kg for Earth orbital missions and 2055 kg for nuclear waste disposal missions. For the Earth orbital missions, the projectile requires a propulsion system, leaving an estimated payload mass of 650 kg. For the nuclear waste disposal in space mission, the high level waste mass was estimated at 250 kg. This preliminary assessment included technical, environmental, and economic analyses. Rice, E. E. and Miller, L. A. and Earhart, R. W. Unspecified Center NASA-CR-167886, NAS 1.26:167886 NAS3-22882; RTOP 505-55-32 ELECTROMAGNETIC PROPULSION; RAILGUN ACCELERATORS; ROCKET LAUNCHERS; ECONOMIC ANALYSIS; FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS; RADIOACTIVE WASTES; SAFETY FACTORS; SYSTEMS ANALYSIS; WASTE DISPOSAL

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B08BRHPN5P
• ISBN13: 9798656486439
• Release Date: January 1
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 434 Pages
• Weight: 2.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 8.5"