3 ms·
It's an interesting idea, but I don't see a feasible use for it on Earth, probably be quite handy for returning bulk materials to Earth from a hypothetical moon
by MadnessASAP 2y ago
It's an interesting idea, but I don't see a feasible use for it on Earth, probably be quite handy for returning bulk materials to Earth from a hypothetical moon base. Unfortunately Earth's atmosphere makes most surface base accelerators to space impractical.
A many kilometers long linear accelerator that ramps off a suitable mountain could make for a interesting 1st stage that wouldn't subject the payload to ridiculous G forces. But you'd still need to accelerate the payload and 2nd stage and with SpaceX and co driving down 1st stage costs I still don't see it as cost effective.