Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Magnetic Ring Could Launch Satellites, Weapons

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the round-and-round-it-goes dept.

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."

8 of 612 comments (clear)

  1. How cool is that? Intercontinental catapults by patrixmyth · · Score: 5, Funny

    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
  2. Mass drivers RULE! by Quiet_Desperation · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.

  3. "one of the most important targets on the planet" by k4_pacific · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.
  4. Gauss Vs. Glue by good+soldier+svejk · · Score: 4, Funny
    That sounds like a big Gauss Gun, AKA rail gun to me. The Germans tried to build long range artillery and anti-aircraft artillery on on this principle during WWII. Makes sense I suppose, as Carl Gauss was German. Of course, it was quickly superceded by their deadly LePage Glue Gun Technology.

    "Yossarian sidled up drunkenly to Colonel Korn at the officers' club one night to kid with him about the new Lepage gun that the Germans had moved in.

    What Lepage gun?" Colonel Korn inquired with curiosity.

    "The new three-hundred-and-forty-four-millimeter Lepage glue gun," Yossarian answered. "It glues a whole formation of planes together in mid-air."

    - Catch-22, Joseph Heller
    "
    --
    It is cowardly, and a betrayal of whatever it means to be a Jew, to act as a white man

    -James Baldwin
  5. First deployment should be.... by dave-tx · · Score: 4, Funny

    Suggestion for the first test: Enter it in next year's Punkin Chunkin' contest!

    --

    >> "What would the robut do? Frame someone!"

  6. one ring to launch them all by m0llusk · · Score: 5, Funny
    One ring to launch them all,
    one ring to fling them.
    One ring to send them into space,
    and into that darkness bring them.
  7. Arrrgh! by Jeremiah+Cornelius · · Score: 4, Funny

    "My pacemaker!"

    --
    "Flyin' in just a sweet place,
    Never been known to fail..."
  8. New ad campaign by Comboman · · Score: 4, Funny
    It could be made more economical by making it dual use. Build it between two important land sites. Then it can also be used for cargo.

    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.

    --
    Support Right To Repair Legislation.