From: Avatar Polymorph (avatarpolymorph@hotmail.com)
Date: Tue Sep 10 2002 - 20:53:34 MDT
The Cable Catapult
http://www.tethers.com/MXTethers.html
Another concept developed by Dr. Forward of Tethers Unlimited is the Cable
Catapult System. In this system, a very long tether is used as a launch
rail. A long tether is extended in space and pointed towards the target. The
payload is attached to a linear motor powered by an external electrical
source, and the linear motor "climbs" the tether, accelerating the payload
up to launch speed. At the launch point, the payload is released to travel
on to the destination while the linear motor is decelerated to a halt on a
shorter section of tether.
This concept has the potential to enable launch velocities 30x the
characteristic speed of the tether material. With advanced materials, launch
velocities of 30-100 km/s may be possible, enabling interplanetary travel
with durations of months rather than years.
===
[Note earlier reference in webpage to rotating tethers using Earth's
magnetic field for power source - this could be a power source for the
linear accelerator - similar systems could be used in Jupiter??? or other
planets with electromagnetic fields - I don't think Mars has them - also
note his schemes for chains of rotating flywheels/tethers through the solar
system, using momentum transfer to slow and speed payloads (possible in
vacuum?).]
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