| 摘要 |
This invention relates to launching of a flight vehicle, such as a rocket, an aircraft and the like, from a generally upwardly directed subterranean launch shaft of at least 300 m length, preferably of a length of 500 m or more. Preferably, the launch shaft is an amortized mine shaft. Launching is by means of one of, or a combination of, several possible propulsion systems. For each system, at least some components are external of the flight vehicle and associated with or mounted in the launch shaft. One kind of propulsion system may use expansion of gas in the launch shaft behind the flight vehicle. Other propulsion systems use electromagnetism or Lorentz-type actuators, such as a coil gun or gauss gun, a linear induction motor or linear synchronous motor, or a rail gun. The launch shaft mounts guiding means for guiding the flight vehicle along the launch shaft. |
