* The Quicklaunch will cost $562 million to develop over 4 phases and 8 years
* One thousand pound payloads.
* 10-28% payload fraction (full scale system will have 28% payload fraction)
* the donuts around the tube are for bouyancy and for rigidity and precision alignment
* Cellphone electronics are G hardened, just replace the transformers
* Bigger systems can be built
* Neutrally bouyant barrel made out of composite, so no gravitational sag
The video below shows a high g-hardened satellite that was built.
How to Shoot Stuff into Space
STEP 1: HEAT IT
The gun combusts natural gas in a heat exchanger within a chamber of hydrogen gas, heating the hydrogen to 2,600˚F and causing a 500 percent increase in pressure.
Operators open the valve, and the hot, pressurized hydrogen quickly expands down the tube, pushing the payload forward.
STEP 3: TO INFINITY AND BEYOND
After speeding down the 3,300-foot-long barrel, the projectile shoots out of the gun at 13,000 mph. An iris at the end of the gun closes, capturing the hydrogen gas to use again.
One Hour Video of Presentation Made at Google Dec, 2009
Blow off aero shell at 100 km altitude
Plug nozzle booster
Orbital Depot