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

  • Parzivus [any]
    ·
    8 months ago

    I wonder how they plan to handle the heat generated? Maybe you don't need the same kind of acceleration for a rail launcher than with a rail gun.

    • ProfessorOwl_PhD [any]
      ·
      8 months ago

      If they used the same acceleration as a rail gun they'd only be sending bodies to space, not people.

    • D61 [any]
      ·
      8 months ago

      I mean... a gun would need a much shorter distance to launch a projectile to be useful. A rail launcher for spacecraft could be WAY longer and still be useful, maybe that will help keep heat under control?