Electric rail gun projectile acceleration to high velocityElectric rail accelerators are being investigated for application in electric propulsion systems. Several electric propulsion applications require that the rail accelerator be capable of launching projectiles at velocities above 10 km/s. An experimental program was conducted to develop rail accelerator technology for high velocity projectile launch. Several 6 mm bore, 3 m long rail accelerators were fabricated. Projectiles with a mass of 0.2 g were accelerated by plasmas, carrying currents up to 150 kA. Experimental design and results are described. Results indicate that the accelerator performed as predicted for a fraction of the total projectile acceleration. The disparity between predicted and measured results are discussed.
Document ID
19830031283
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Bauer, D. P. (IAP Research, Inc. Dayton, OH, United States)
Mccormick, T. J. (IAP Research, Inc. Dayton, OH, United States)
Barber, J. P. (IAP Research, Inc. Dayton, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1982
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 82-1939
Meeting Information
Meeting: Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences, and DGLR, International Electric Propulsion Conference