Re: Mass Drivers (was GEV and Grav Vehicles)

Michael T Miserendino wrote:
> A mass driver (AKA a "Rail Gun") uses magnetic attraction between
> electromagnets to propel a payload.  The electromagnets are made up of
coils
> conducting current which produces magetic fields.  The payload is
stored in
> a bucket coil which makes up one electromagnet.  The other
electromagnets
> are made up of a series of drive coils which form a tube.  The
> electromagnetic fields are used to repel or attract each other.  AFAIK
the
> most common mass driver in use now is the pull type using attraction.

	Ummmmmm, that turns out not to be the case.

	What you are describing is a "coil gun", not a rail gun.
	A rail gun consists of two long rails.	The electrically
	conducting payload strikes an arc between the rails and
	rides the wave of plasma.

Coil guns:
http://www.nas.nasa.gov/Services/Education/SpaceSettlement/Nowicki/SPBI1
12.HTM

Rail guns:
http://www.nas.nasa.gov/Services/Education/SpaceSettlement/Nowicki/SPBI1
13.HTM