Electrostatic launcher

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Jim Owens - 21 Jul 2006 01:10 GMT

Has anyone done any research on launching very small probes
electrostatically from space? So, for example, launching an
electrostatic 'gun' with a tiny probe on a sounding rocket and firing
the 'gun' once the rocket leaves the atmosphere?

Jim

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Carsten Nielsen - 12 Aug 2006 22:56 GMT

Jim Owens skrev:

> Has anyone done any research on launching very small probes
> electrostatically from space? So, for example, launching an
> electrostatic 'gun' with a tiny probe on a sounding rocket and firing
> the 'gun' once the rocket leaves the atmosphere?
>
> Jim

I'd rather use in on the Moon.

Then it can be used more than once.

Have you any description of a such launcher ?

Regards

Carsten Nielsen
Denmark

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Jim Owens - 15 Aug 2006 17:30 GMT

> Jim Owens skrev:
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> Carsten Nielsen
> Denmark

No, just the idea. I imagine it would resemble a very large cathode ray
tube without the glass ...

Jim

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delt0r - 13 Aug 2006 08:19 GMT

Electrostatic forces are not ideal due to the massive voltages needed
to produce a useful force. It would be better to use a magnetic
launcher.

However you would almost always be better off in this case with a
rocket IMO.

Greg

> Has anyone done any research on launching very small probes
> electrostatically from space? So, for example, launching an
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>
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Space Forum / Space Flight / August 2006

Electrostatic launcher