If we have the power to reach space safely and easily, why arent we using it?

Question

In high school, a buddy of mine built a rail gun, or EMP cannon. He was able to project anything he could fit inside at super high velocities using the magnetic fields it created. Apparently the "projectile" had a magnetic field that was only disrupted by contact with a solid. With that in mind, couldnt we build a big one, stick a ship inside, and launch it into space? All it would need besides what a shuttle has is a secondary electromagnetic pulse to cancel out the magnetic field, and allow the ship to move freely. This could even be done deep into the solar system to save the fuel on the initial trip. People already know how to do this.

It costs the amount of the initial electricity to power up, and saves the tons of fuel it costs to blast off. Plus, the ship can carry extra wieght. Im not saying just throw sum people out there. Test it obviously.

Answer 1

aren't rail guns and EMP weapons 2 VERY different systems?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_pulse

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railgun

I'd scratch EMP from your list.

could you imagine how much energy you'd need to maintain a balanced magnetic connection with an object traveling that far.... straight from the surface to the outer reaches of earth's atmosphere? not very particle.

now if this was done in space, all that would be needed would be a burst and the speed will be maintained my natural physics from that point...........

besides, to change directions, you'd have to replace the ship into a new launching machine., each time.......

Answer 2

Jules Verne had that same basic idea, only using an explosive propellant. But it doesn't matter what propulsion you use. It can't be done, because the velocity required, if launched from earth, would cause the craft to burn up before it got more than a couple miles up. Orbital velocity from the surface is way to high to do this without continuous acceleration. The only way you could do it would be to build the tube so that it extends all the way out into space. And it has to be airtight all the way up. This would seem to be an impractical project, at best.

And Raymond makes a good point. There would be no reason why one couldn't be built on the moon. There isn't any air.

Answer 3

Rail guns would probably work well on the Moon because the gravity you'd be trying to overcome is much less than that of the Earth. Trying to launch people from the Earth's surface with one would be suicide. The G forces would be very extreme, and would be more than humans could survive. We had a safe means to reach space in the beginning of the space age. All of the early rockets had launch escape systems and proved to be very reliable. Look at the Soyuz.
The Space Shuttle is an awesome achievement but dangerous.
.

Answer 4

Although it could be done in theory on Earth, there are problems with the required acceleration and the heating of the vehicle by air friction.

Building such a device on the Moon would be fantastic.

Answer 5

First off its expensive and its not that safe. Don't you remember any of the space shuttle disasters?

Answer 6

Good Question

NASA needs specieal guidence

They have the Tech but not the smartness to use it.

Answer 7

money, plain and simple.....and a rail-gun wouldn't work as the acceleration would liquefy your skeleton....