Launch Loop Rotor Heating During Launch

These are a few simulations of the heating of the launch loop rotor for the first hour after the beginning of launch operations, under different conditions.

The rotor is simulated as 5180 1km long elements in a 14km/sec moving frame of reference. The viewing window (2000 km launch path, and 200 km of the inclines to each side) is rotated around this frame, as are the payloads. There is some numerical noise, probably resulting from inadequate assignment of heat impulses to rotor elements. But this can be used to get some estimate of the heating of the rotor under various conditions. Modify the #defines in the source - this needs a parameter input file.

5 ton payloads to 10800 m/s, 30 m/s2, continuous, 45 seconds apart

hc03 - Payloads to the moon.

Upload new attachment "hc03.swf"

Here is the source, Here is the command file,, and you will need gnuplot and swftools

5 ton payloads to 10800 m/s, 30 m/s2, burst launch 15 payloads 24 seconds apart

hc04 - Burst payloads to the moon, perhaps to slingshot into lower orbits.

Upload new attachment "hc04.swf"

Here is the source, Here is the command file,, and you will need gnuplot and swftools

1.6 ton payloads to 8600 m/s, 20 m/s2, continuous, 10 seconds apart

hc05 - Smaller payloads into m288. 8640 payloads, 13,800 tons per day.

Upload new attachment "hc05.swf"

Here is the source, Here is the command file,, and you will need gnuplot and swftools