Using an Artsimovich Railgun for Return from the Moon

Nonstandard techniques to deliver a payload from the Moon to Earth are explored. Two approaches are compared, which are based on using a space elevator and an acceleration device, the Artsimovich railgun. The energy needed to launch a payload to a low lunar orbit and the libration point in the Earth...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Moscow University physics bulletin 2021-05, Vol.76 (3), p.182-185
Main Authors: Sazhin, M. V., Safonova, M. V., Sementsov, V. N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Lagrangian equilibrium points
Libration
Lunar orbits
Mathematical and Computational Physics
Moon
Physics
Physics and Astronomy
Railguns
Theoretical
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Summary:Nonstandard techniques to deliver a payload from the Moon to Earth are explored. Two approaches are compared, which are based on using a space elevator and an acceleration device, the Artsimovich railgun. The energy needed to launch a payload to a low lunar orbit and the libration point in the Earth–Moon system is estimated. We conclude that the railgun is economically advantageous compared to the space elevator and standard jet technologies.
ISSN:0027-1349
1934-8460
DOI:10.3103/S0027134921030097