Researchers are continually looking for new ways to deliver satellites and other objects into orbit for significantly lower costs.

After receiving a $500,000 Phase II contract from the U.S. Department of Defense Small Business Technology Transfer Program, LaunchPoint engineers are attempting to create a magnetic space launch device.

The object, which is encased in a polycarbonate, cone-shaped sabot for protection, would be attached to a magnetic sled. Electromagnetic motors located inside the tunnel would continue to accelerate the unit until it reaches its top speed of 10 kilometers per second, which is when laser and pyrotechnic devices would help separate the cone from the sled.

The cone will then launch towards space at a reported 8 kilometers per second. Any device launched in this manner would have to be able to withstand a minimum of 2,000 Gs -- the equivalent to 2,000 times the force of gravity.

A passenger in a car crash at 60 miles per hour experiences acceleration of approximately 100 Gs: LaunchPoint's technology is strictly for cargo. The projectile will contain a small rocket engine and avionics, which would allow it to steer once it leaves Earth's orbit.

Research done by LaunchPoint Technologies is currently spearheaded by James Fiske, who successfully created a full-scale prototype maglev shipping container. Fiske is leading the initial two-year study, with a demonstrative device possibly being available in four years, according to the company.

A main selling point of the technology is that it would make it much cheaper to send payloads into space. Current rocket-launched payloads cost around $4,000 per kilogram, while magnetic systems will launch payloads at a much lower $750 per kilogram cost.

With space colonization a goal for many modern space nations, the system could be a great method to launch supplies and necessary materials into space. Micro satellites and supplies such as food and water would be ideal to be launched into space.

In an interview with the New Scientist, Fiske said "Nearly all of this material could be shipped via launch rings, resulting in major reductions in the cost of manned space activities."

There are several roadblocks that currently stand in the way of major progress of the project. The first aspect under consideration is how to prevent overheating -- the objects launched could burn up attempting to leave the Earth's atmosphere the same way a meteorite would burn up on highspeed entry.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Alan Epstein has warned that the system could be used as a weapon. The U.S. Air Force, however, hopes to be able to launch small satellites into orbit, though it is unknown what types of satellites the military plans on launching.

"LaunchPoint's platform would fling objects around a 7 mile track several times before eventually jettisoning it into space"

Source: DailyTech