Futuristic slingshot whips satellites to space (CNN/PopSci.com)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Stephen Handelman
Popular Science

(PopSci.com) --
***
To survive the ride on Launchpoint Technologies's invention, the payload has to be able to survive a brain-splattering 10,000 Gs.

The design calls for a high-speed accelerator that whips a projectile as heavy as 220 pounds around a circular 1.5-mile-radius vacuum tunnel.

Powerful electromagnetic motors inside the tunnel will accelerate the unit, strapped to a magnetic sled, in circles until it reaches a velocity of six miles per second and then will eject the projectile from a launch ramp into space.

The system is still just an idea on paper, but the U.S. Air Force has awarded Launchpoint a two-year, $500,000 grant to prove it can work. Project leader Jim Fiske, an expert in magnetic levitation, believes that the magnetic forces would counteract the pulverizing G-forces generated by radial acceleration and prevent the sled from touching the tunnel wall.

As for the system's cost, its low power requirements would allow spy micro-satellites to be slung into orbit for $50,000, a small fraction of the current $5-million launch cost.
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more: http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/12/22/magnetic.slingshot/index.html

[HysteryDiagnosis]

1. Now they are stealing ideas from Guam...... well sort

of..... almost.



The GUAM SLINGSHOT is powered by a unique spring machine which applies over 40 tons of force to 250 springs. This innovative amusement device is by far the most exhilarating vertical attraction available today. Passenger�s experience 6 G's of acceleration to 0 gravity, attaining heights of 230 feet and reaching speeds of up to 100 mph.

Designed and patented in 1996, the Guam SLINGSHOT was first introduced to Guam in 2001. It is the 1st model in the Asia Pacific. Twenty SLINGSHOTS now operate in the USA with 40 more operating in Europe and Asia.

This Guam tower model known as the �Water Tower 2003� has been specifically designed for Guam conditions. The base of the tower is filled with water adding an extra 5 ton to each tower base. To add more strength during Typhoons 100 TONS of reinforced concrete and steel was added to strengthen the foundations.

The SLINGSHOT has been manufactured, approved and certified by German TUV and American ASTM standards. Wherever you are, you can rely on the SLINGSHOT to be approved for safe operation by local authorities in your country.

So enough already...Get in, Sit down, Lean back and Hang on for the ride of your life...and remember to smile for the camera.

[wakeme2008]

2. While I could be wrong but

I would bet most of the $50,000 is for the rocket and electronics. IMHO once working and the math done I believe an none rocket and electronics unit could supply food and air to the International Space Station very cheaply. The ISS would have to have a tug to go collect the supply satellites. And the supply satellites would need to be able to be recycled into the ISS, but this would have to be cheaper to supply the basics to the ISS.

[longship]

6. What? Meat loaf again tonight?

Why does everything they send up look like meat loaf?

Jesz!! 10,000 G's. Gonna loaf anything they send up.

[hobbit709]

3. Linear accelerator is old hat in Sci-Fi

[Phoonzang]

4. Exactly...

This idea's been around for a looong time. I do find it amusing that real life frequently catches up to sci-fi years after the fact. Gives me hope that transporters and interstellar travel will become a reality. :)

[eppur_se_muova]

7. Yes, but *everything* is old hat in sf. :)

There's a big, big difference between imagining something on paper and actually building it, welds, seams, bolts, and all.

[tridim]

5. Wouldn't the proposed nanotube space elevator make this obsolete?

The elevator seems magnitudes more efficient.