Can a Railgun-Powered Ramjet Solve the Challenges of High-Speed Travel?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of a railgun-powered ramjet, named Excel 1, designed for high-speed travel at Mach 8.8. The proposed design faces significant challenges, particularly in engine design, as conventional jet engines cannot withstand such speeds and rocket engines are deemed too polluting. The concept requires advanced cooling systems to manage the extreme temperatures involved. A critical point raised is the misconception regarding the superconductivity of air, which does not occur at any temperature.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of hypervelocity propulsion systems
  • Knowledge of superconductivity and its temperature thresholds
  • Familiarity with railgun technology and its applications
  • Basic principles of thermodynamics related to gas behavior
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of railgun propulsion systems
  • Explore the physics of superconductivity in gases
  • Investigate advanced cooling technologies for high-speed vehicles
  • Study the environmental impacts of various propulsion methods
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Engineers, aerospace designers, and researchers interested in high-speed travel technologies and propulsion systems.

BoeingJet
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Recently, I designed (in my head) a Hypervelocity Passenger Vehicle (just a cool name for really high speed transports). I immediately ran into engine design problems ( I like designing everything stand-alone), since regular jet engines can't get to Mach 8.8 without burning up into flames, and rocket engines are too polluting (and also I was obsessed with nuclear jet engines which doesn't use up any fuel whatsoever)
So I spent roughly 2 minutes having a headache before coming up with an insane solution. A railgun-powered ramjet. (I named it Excel 1) However it would require laser-cooling systems to cool the Mach 8.8 air to a temperature where it becomes superconductive before being ejected out from the end by a railgun-style pulse engine design.

My questions: At which temperature would air become superconductive?
Is it possible to make a material which could sustain that temperature without shattering?
Would it be possible?
 
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BoeingJet said:
My questions: At which temperature would air become superconductive?

There is no temperature at which air becomes superconducting. In fact, as the different gases condense into separate liquids, it ceases being air.
 
How about oxygen?
 
Thread closed for Moderation...
 
@BoeingJet -- Please check your Private Messages so I can help you understand a few things about your OP. Thanks. :smile:
 

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