A mass driver, or electromagnetic catapult, is a method of non-rocket spacelaunch which would use a linear motor to accelerate and catapult payloads up to high speeds.
All existing and contemplated mass drivers use coils of wire energized by electricity to make electromagnets. Sequential firing of a row of electromagnets accelerates the payload along a path. After leaving the path, the payload continues to move due to momentum.[1]
Gallery[]
In Near Orbit
In Deep Space
References[]
- ↑ WILLIAMS, W. J. HardWired Sourcebook. Berkeley, CA, R. Talsorian Games, 1989. (p.3)