https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3255351/nasas-dream-comes-true-china-plans-build-giant-rail-gun-launch-hypersonic-planes-space

  • plinky [he/him]
    ·
    4 months ago

    It’s still would be like 1-2 km, if they aim at 10g. And they still need to find another 20 machs from rocket booster.

    Doing full railgun with small rockets is more poggers (without humans obv ) shrug-outta-hecks

    • Coolkidbozzy [he/him]
      ·
      4 months ago

      Tests will be carried out at 1.2 mile long low-vacuum track high-speed maglev test facility in Datong, generally used when researching magnetic levitation train technology

      Within coming years, the Datong test facility will be extended to 37.2 miles long, to achieve a maximum operating speed of a staggering 5,000km/h.

      biiiiig track incoming

      from daily mail

      • Nakoichi [he/him]
        ·
        4 months ago

        That would still be a rough ride for a person, but it could absolutely revolutionize getting construction materials into orbit.

    • Maoo [none/use name]
      ·
      4 months ago

      If you assume humans are frictionless spheres they could probably ride on that second one

      • Egon [they/them]
        ·
        4 months ago

        They will be spheres if they do ride on it. Several in fact.