Optimized electromagnetic launch system for increasing payload of U.S. expendable launch vehicles

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.49934· OSTI ID:385415

Cravey, W R; Young, C M ^[1]; Bosma, J ^[2]

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1. Tetra Corporation, 3701 Hawkins Street, NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109 (United States)
2. Phillips Business Information, 12017 Locks Road, Potomac, Maryland 20854 (United States)

A commercially competitive space launch infrastructure remains an enduring US dilemma. Because of the great cost of all-new launch ranges, safety corridors, and launch structures, we present a short zero-stage electromagnetic launch system which will boost the payload of US expendable launch vehicles (ELVs) from existing ranges. This approach uses an innovative electromagnetic launch pad that will accelerate an ELV to a tailored zero-stage velocity. Acceleration thrusts would be transmitted through the ELV{close_quote}s existing thrust structures, with acceleration loads tailored to ELV/payload tolerances. The proposed system consists of individual magnetic coils which are stacked to form a launch tube. Each coil is fired sequentially generating a magnetic wave which propels the magnetically coupled launch pad through the tube. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}

• OSTI ID: 385415
• Report Number(s): CONF-960109--
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 361; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
ACCELERATORS
DESIGN
ELECTROMAGNETISM
LAUNCHING
MISSILE LAUNCHING SITES
OPTIMIZATION
PERFORMANCE
SPACE VEHICLES
THRUSTERS