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Can maglev propulsion from maglev trains magnetic levitation used to launch aircraft from carriers ?
Chinese developed maglev trains
Under Development
Shanghai Maglev train. It is the first commercially operated high-speed magnetic levitation line in the world
Magnetic Takeoffs
Both the British and U.S. navies are investigating maglev propulsion to launch aircraft from carriers. Not only does a maglev system occupy less space than a conventional steam catapult, but it's easier to tailor the catapult's propulsive force to the weight of an aircraft, which is done at every launch. Maglev is also more energy efficient. It converts stored energy to aircraft kinetic energy with an efficiency of 40-70 percent, compared to 5 percent for steam.
General Atomics (San Diego) and Northrop Grumman (Sunnyvale), both in California, are building competing systems for the U.S. Navy's US $373 million Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System. Later this year, prototype catapults based on linear synchronous motors will be tested at the naval facility, Navair, in Lakehurst, N.J. (General Atomics is also working on a maglev train being developed in Pennsylvania.)
NASA wants maglev as a booster-assist to lower the cost of space launches [see illustration]. Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, Ala.) is studying a launcher on a 17-meter-long outdoor test track, built by PRT Advanced Maglev Systems Inc. (Park Forest, Ill.). The agency's visionaries foresee a maglev-assisted launch accelerating a space vehicle to over 965 km/h on a 2.4-km-long track. Rocket engines would kick in once this speed is reached. The assist might consume 200 kWh, or about $75 worth, of electricity. With less fuel and other efficiencies, launch weight could be lowered by 20 percent.
The space shuttle has cost about $4500 per kilogram to overcome Earth's gravity and enter space orbit. Maglev could drop this cost down to $450 per kilogram or less. Launches would also be safer and more reliable, with less environmental impact and much lower vibration levels.
Faster Than A Speeding Bullet Train - IEEE Spectrum
Chinese developed maglev trains
Under Development
Shanghai Maglev train. It is the first commercially operated high-speed magnetic levitation line in the world
Magnetic Takeoffs
Both the British and U.S. navies are investigating maglev propulsion to launch aircraft from carriers. Not only does a maglev system occupy less space than a conventional steam catapult, but it's easier to tailor the catapult's propulsive force to the weight of an aircraft, which is done at every launch. Maglev is also more energy efficient. It converts stored energy to aircraft kinetic energy with an efficiency of 40-70 percent, compared to 5 percent for steam.
General Atomics (San Diego) and Northrop Grumman (Sunnyvale), both in California, are building competing systems for the U.S. Navy's US $373 million Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System. Later this year, prototype catapults based on linear synchronous motors will be tested at the naval facility, Navair, in Lakehurst, N.J. (General Atomics is also working on a maglev train being developed in Pennsylvania.)
NASA wants maglev as a booster-assist to lower the cost of space launches [see illustration]. Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, Ala.) is studying a launcher on a 17-meter-long outdoor test track, built by PRT Advanced Maglev Systems Inc. (Park Forest, Ill.). The agency's visionaries foresee a maglev-assisted launch accelerating a space vehicle to over 965 km/h on a 2.4-km-long track. Rocket engines would kick in once this speed is reached. The assist might consume 200 kWh, or about $75 worth, of electricity. With less fuel and other efficiencies, launch weight could be lowered by 20 percent.
The space shuttle has cost about $4500 per kilogram to overcome Earth's gravity and enter space orbit. Maglev could drop this cost down to $450 per kilogram or less. Launches would also be safer and more reliable, with less environmental impact and much lower vibration levels.
Faster Than A Speeding Bullet Train - IEEE Spectrum
