A rail accelerator was chosen for study as an electromagnetic space propulsion device because of its simplicity and existing technology base. The results of a mission feasibility study using a large rail accelerator for direct launch of ton-size payloads from the Earth's surface to space, and the results of initial tests with a small, laboratory rail accelerator are presented. The laboratory rail accelerator has a bore of 3 by 3 mm and has accelerated 60 mg projectiles to velocities of 300 to 1000 m/s. Rail materials of Cu, W, and Mo were tested for efficiency and erosion rate.


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    Title :

    Rail Accelerator Research at Lewis Research Center


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1982


    Size :

    30 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Rail accelerator research at Lewis Research Center

    Kerslake, W. R. / Cybyk, B. Z. | NTRS | 1982


    Rail accelerator research at Lewis Research Center

    Kerslake, W. R. / Cybyk, B. Z. | NTRS | 1982


    Rail accelerator research at Lewis Research Center

    KERSLAKE, W. / CYBYK, B. | AIAA | 1982


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