What are the speed limits of a maglev track?

[amorphos_b]

TL;DR

What are the speed limits of a maglev track? If say, you wanted to use them to launch craft into space? Or indeed if you wanted to send segments of maglev track to say the moon and mars? would building it longer hep with the magnetic friction and speeds?

What are the speed limits of a maglev track? If say, you wanted to use them to launch craft into space? Or indeed if you wanted to send segments of maglev track to say the moon and mars?

 

[anuttarasammyak]

Light speed is the limit for any method. I do not know about other practical limit for mag-lev in vacuum space. For an example by reducing mass of the object we can increase its acceleration as we like. We can accelerate particles to almost light speed by EM in particle accelerators.

 

[berkeman]

We can accelerate particles to almost light speed by EM in particle accelerators.

The ultimate MagLev trains! (Well, except for no people...)

 

[phyzguy]

I think a MagLev track on the Moon could launch objects into space. But not on the Earth because of air friction.

 

[amorphos_b]

Thank you for your replies, I am glad that it appears possible. At least to lauch projectiles with segments or parts of devices.

If one built the track say a mile long and high up on a mountain range, the air resistance would be reduced. The length of track could help for acceleration durations ~ for manned flights.

Would it be possible to build a tunnel with the maglev track as an integral part thereof, then send another unmanned projectile through the tunnel first – such to create a vacuum or at least a reduced air volume? Maybe build it within reasonable distance of a nuclear power station.

 

[Paul Colby]

Rapidly changing magnetic fields in electrically conductive materials generate what are called eddy currents. Eddy currents are an energy loss mechanism that will increase as the train car moves faster relative to the track. There will be limits imposed by this effect. It may or may not be a show stopper for your application.