Is a Vertical Mass Driver Possible?

[jarenf]

I was wondering, if a Mass Driver launching only vertically would be best used to attain escape velocity, or if it could be coupled with horizontal propulsion to reach an orbit around the earth.

(P.S. I apologize if this sounds a tad unclear and hastily written, I lost my original post)

 

[CWatters]

I'm not sure what you are asking but there is an advantage to be gained by launching rockets at the equator.

 

[Astronuc]

I was wondering, if a Mass Driver launching only vertically would be best used to attain escape velocity, or if it could be coupled with horizontal propulsion to reach an orbit around the earth.

(P.S. I apologize if this sounds a tad unclear and hastily written, I lost my original post)

There are two parts to this problem - acceleration from rest to some 'launch' velocity at the end of the mass driver, and deceleration from that velocity to some velocity at orbit or to near escape velocity at some altitude from the launch site.

Aerodynamic heating is a major concern, as are the loads on the spacecraft .

The benefit of a mass driver is the reduction of propellant and total mass required to get the launch going.

The utility of a mass driver may be as a launch-assist, but one will likely need some propulsion.

An equatorial lauch takes advantage of the Earth's rotation.

 

[jarenf]

Sorry I wasn't very clear.. Assume for a second the mass driver extends up past most of the atmosphere. Would it be possible to reach L1 With as little horizontal thruster burn as possible?

 

[pmacias]

I can say that a vertical mass driver is indeed possible, but its effectiveness in reaching escape velocity or achieving orbit around the Earth would depend on various factors such as the design, materials, and propulsion system used.

A mass driver is a type of electromagnetic propulsion system that uses magnetic fields to accelerate and launch objects into space. In theory, a vertical mass driver could be used to launch objects straight up into the air, potentially reaching escape velocity if designed correctly. However, this would require a significant amount of energy and precise control to overcome the Earth's gravity and atmospheric resistance.

Alternatively, a combination of vertical and horizontal propulsion could potentially be used to reach orbit around the Earth. This would involve using the vertical mass driver to launch the object to a certain height and then using horizontal propulsion to achieve the necessary orbital velocity. This approach would also require precise coordination and control to ensure the object reaches the correct trajectory and avoids colliding with any other objects in space.

In conclusion, while a vertical mass driver is possible, its practicality and effectiveness in reaching escape velocity or achieving orbit would depend on various technical and logistical considerations. Further research and development would be needed to determine the most efficient and feasible approach for utilizing a vertical mass driver in space propulsion.