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MagLevAir system launches planes with magnets
Designers Leonie Lawniczak, Deniz Örs and Georg Milde have dreamed up a magnetic launch system that gives airplanes of the future a boost at take off in much the same way as an aircraft carrier's catapult. The separate shuttle would remain on the ground, but the helping hand it offers would allow the craft to carry less fuel, making it lighter overall. As for the plane itself, the designers aren't holding back for its method of propulsion: scramjets.
Jump on through to see another shot of the MagLevAir, as well as a video showing the system in action.
Via Yanko Design
By ssharwood at 7:15 PM ON 08/10/09
Cute, but how does the plane get jacked back onto the launch shuttle? Video of that would be nice.
By mhwkcrue at 7:25 PM ON 08/10/09
who's to say that the plane doesn't have a set of landing gear that is high enough to set it on the launch shuttle, theoretically it could be ferried on to the shuttle by a special cart/truck of some sort, i mean the possibilities are nearly endless
By Burton at 8:42 PM ON 08/10/09
Why not an arrester cable like an aircraft carrier. If you allow for some added stopping distance, say 50-60% more, you can significantly reduce both the G load and the wear and tear on the components.
By someguy at 8:49 PM ON 08/10/09
really what they probably were going for in the video was flare. They just wanted a nice looking system. Burton has a good point with the cable. It would have to be a really heavy duty cable to with stand the force though.
By Josh2 at 10:17 PM ON 08/10/09
Please! George Pal showed a very similar launch system in his 1950's film of When Worlds Collide and Dean Ing had precisely this launch method for the initial stage of his small demo craft in his book Heavy Lifters (though the orbiter was powered by a ground based laser).
I love breathless prose about a "new idea" that is anything but.
By ivorygirl098 at 1:34 AM ON 08/11/09
Isn't this very similar to tech used on some roller coasters?
By joshikins at 1:53 AM ON 08/11/09
It seems like it would be better to run the magnets along the runway itself and do away with the lower piece all together. That would eliminate the need to get the aircraft back onto the launching mechanism. Just land on the runway normally and get in position for another magnetizing event.
By Nathan Brazil at 2:30 AM ON 08/11/09
Following on from Joshikins idea, if polarity in magnets built in to the runway was reversed on landing, would this not help slow the plane down?
By Brass Orchid at 3:01 AM ON 08/11/09
The magnets are all on the launch vehicle and the track is in the runway. This saves weight on the aircraft. This is an older concept. Sufficiently developed, you could have sub-orbital flight without carrying a lot of power, picking your destination and heading on launch and carrying only enough fuel for maneuvering and landing, allowing momentum to carry you the entire distance. The take-off G-force might be deadly, however, requiring either a long track or a technological breakthrough to allow inertial damping, which would render the whole thing pointless anyway.
By Redeyes at 5:25 AM ON 08/11/09
Realistically you're looking at 600mph, sonic booms are still no-nos in most places, so sub-orbital isn't possible. Would be nice for short take off fields. Or maybe future electric planes, getting off the ground for 'free' might make it possible.
By endimion at 5:57 AM ON 08/11/09
@Brass Orchid: it would be possible using immersion in some oxygenated gel of some sort with high density to absorb part of the inertial force... or the crazy one you attach the passengers to a bungie at the rear lol
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endimion:
@Brass Orchid: it would be possible using immersion in some oxygenated gel of some sort with high density to abs...More »