Electromagnetic Launchers and Space

Electromagnetic (EM) launchers could potentially provide the capability to lift materiel into space from the Earth and from the Moon. Alternatives to chemical rockets may need to be developed in the future to reduce the cost of access to space and minimize, or preferably eliminate, environmental damage from rocket fuel byproducts on the ground and in the atmosphere. Lunar launch eliminates the speed and atmospheric limitations involved in terrestrial launch since the lunar orbital velocity and escape velocity are within the range already demonstrated by railguns. EM launchers based on the Moon could deliver materials mined from the Moon to various destinations, and support applications such as defense of the Earth and manned lunar colonies against meteorite impacts. This article reviews some concepts proposed for EM launch to space, and discusses issues involved in their use.