Maglifter: A Ground-Based Next Generation Reusable Launch Assist for a Low-Cost and Highly Reliable Space Access

Major difficulties in a space missions are the launch cost and the inability of using the launch vehicle consecutive times. A maglev launch system, Maglifter, uses magnetic fields to levitate and accelerate a vehicle along a track at speeds up to 600 [mph]. It is a feasible and revolutionary first stage propulsion system that gives an initial velocity and altitude, reducing dramatically on-board fuel. Furthermore, the Maglifter is inexpensive, costing less than an estimated $100 per full-scale launch, and environmentally clean, using only electrical power from ground sources. It also reduces turn-around time to next launch in quick succession space missions. This paper provides feasibility studies conducted for realization of the Maglifter for a sounding rocket, which can be utilized as a small satellite launch system. It introduces a feasible system configuration of the Maglifter and also develops a computer simulation framework that derives an optimal configuration according to the required thrust, launch mass, track length, and elevation angle of track to provide a desirable initial state vector (velocity, altitude, and angle). Preliminary study results show that the Maglifter is capable to augment a sounding rocket’s apogee by 30% or to achieve the same apogee with 53% less propellant for the same weight of the payload. Therefore, the Maglifter can extend various small satellite missions utilizing a sounding rocket.