Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Nicola Bella Ruiz, Junior Adrian Moraga, Senior Praneeth Kasani, Junior Lihuen Muñoz, Junior
Lead Presenter's Name
Nicola Bella Ruiz
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Engineering
Faculty Mentor Name
Troy Henderson
Abstract
The price to send a payload into space has decreased significantly since the beginning of the commercial space era, with the current lowest being $1,400/kg on SpaceX Falcon Heavy. Several unique alternatives have been introduced to reduce the price, SpaceX being the most successful by introducing reusable rockets. James Powell, co-inventor of Magnetic Levitation technology, proposed the idea of Startram- a magnetically accelerated launch vehicle that is accelerated on Earth and launched from a vacuum-sealed tube. This project further studies the possibilities of Maglev technologies and potential benefits of the technology for space launch. This investigation will analyze the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the Startram method through validation of the original Startram calculations along with its interpolation to modern technologies and cost models.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
Yes, Spark Grant
Magnetically Accelerated Launch Systems for More Affordable Space Travel.
The price to send a payload into space has decreased significantly since the beginning of the commercial space era, with the current lowest being $1,400/kg on SpaceX Falcon Heavy. Several unique alternatives have been introduced to reduce the price, SpaceX being the most successful by introducing reusable rockets. James Powell, co-inventor of Magnetic Levitation technology, proposed the idea of Startram- a magnetically accelerated launch vehicle that is accelerated on Earth and launched from a vacuum-sealed tube. This project further studies the possibilities of Maglev technologies and potential benefits of the technology for space launch. This investigation will analyze the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the Startram method through validation of the original Startram calculations along with its interpolation to modern technologies and cost models.