tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315579333067639553.post1329362544496623883..comments2023-09-16T04:04:05.052-05:00Comments on Mad Engineering: Space RailgunProfessor Preposteroushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833576109973350556noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315579333067639553.post-54209316721975362502010-10-03T17:30:06.866-05:002010-10-03T17:30:06.866-05:00I think living things would be best in a tradition...I think living things would be best in a traditional rocket, yes, something that would not kill them on launch.<br /><br />The equatorial territory is mostly ocean anyhow. Launching from a boat seems interesting, and I also have that artificial land thing....Professor Preposteroushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07833576109973350556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315579333067639553.post-21069070720164534112010-10-03T14:42:07.146-05:002010-10-03T14:42:07.146-05:00Perhaps you are thinking of a massive coil gun ins...Perhaps you are thinking of a massive coil gun instead whereby the projectile 'floats' inside the magnetic coils ,much like a maglev thus not needing any rails and thus no friction to be replaced.<br /><br /><br /><br />OTOH to get the most benefit from it, much like rockets we're supposed to stick them on the equator... and there are not so many countries stable enough for such a massive project.TCGhttp://ask.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315579333067639553.post-16328462079741861822010-10-03T14:19:54.796-05:002010-10-03T14:19:54.796-05:00Another problem with a railgun from earth is repla...Another problem with a railgun from earth is replacement of the rails. It would have to be very regular, since each launch would cause pitting and scorching of the rails. <br /><br />There's also the issue of acceleration being too great for living squishy things. Not so good for manned spaceflight. <br /><br />A rail gun in space works a bit better (though still has the acceleration issues), so maybe people could space-elevator on up to an orbiting rail gun, which flings you towards Phobos, or whatever destination you had in mind. At least, I <i>think</i> a railgun in space can't scorch... IIRC, it's oxidation driven?TwoYakshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18004999495564178762noreply@blogger.com