Magnetic Levitation… When Trains and Rockets Become the Same Thing (Almost)

going, going, gone.

until now all my suggestions either need lots of research lots, of funding or both but magnetic levitation (or Maglev) is a technology that we already have and is relatively cheap (in space exploration terms). It is currently used in parts of China, Japan, and Europe, Maglev has created the fastest trains in the world reaching speeds of over 600 km/h. What does that have to do with spaceships? Well, lots maglev has many benefits:

1. Maglev can boost the launch speed and acceleration exponentially, this will create easy access to orbital space.
2. Because of higher speed and accelleration rockets can save lots of fuel needed for launch
3. Increase the limit on the weight of payload which is possible to propel on a rocket without it not being able to launch.

Maglev works by using magnets to propel stuff forward. it does this through 2 methods:

1. By repelling the object forward by facing the same pole of the magnet on both the track and the vehicle.
2. By switching an electromagnetic field between attracting and off (not repelling just off) Constantly, the vehicle would seem to be hovering. Then it repels the object forward with a whole other set of magnets.(this method is faster)

When I first saw this I thought they would put a magnet under the rocket and “kapow” you got a rocket in space. Like everything else in the world, this is not so easy. In order to really benefit from the magnet, you will have to build a maglev track. Here the spaceship will build up lots of momentum also getting help from its own fuel and exhaust. This will dramatically increase the speed of the spaceship and it has to use less energy as well.

Even though there it may seem complicated magnetic propulsion is very simple and a technology we already possess, it is just waiting to be applied. It is like that one thing that you always miss and forget, just lying in the back of your brain (Oh man don’t get me started on all the times I forgot something). You get the point.

Going… Going… Gone… wait no come back you missed the take away!

Maglev can easily reduce the cost for sending stuff to orbit 50% less (I so made that stat up on the spot… but it’s probably in the ballpark). That means it will only be $5000 to send a pound to space… hey that is still progress.

1. Maglev can boost launch speed, save fuel and energy, and remove the weight limit on the payload before or rocket just can’t go up (The same way you can’t get up after 3 large cans of pop and chips)
2. We can easily build it and it is a technology that we already possess.
3. It works in 2 ways either both which use magnets to allow the rocket to hover and move forward.

NASA has also said that this technology can be used to help lower the cost of sending 1 pound to orbit to only a few hundred bucks (this will be done through use of many methods one being maglev). some other methods are through asteroid mining, antimatter rockets, and space elevators.

Think Big, Think Ahead, Think Like a BOSS, and don’t forget to Do Stuff.