Maglev track could launch spacecraft into orbit
With the aim to make it easier to launch spacecraft into low Earth orbit (LEO), two researchers have turned to maglev technology to catapult a payload hundreds of miles above the Earth. While the concept may sound far-fetched, the researchers argue that the potential benefits to humanity far outweigh the costs.
http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-03-maglev-track-spacecraft-orbit.html
Magnetically Suspended Superconducting Cables
It’s easy to levitate objects electromagnetically. If you push enough current through two conductors in opposite directions, the conductors will be subject to a force pushing them apart. The more current the greater the force. With the advent of superconducting cables being developed for superconducting power grids, it is now possible to construct cables which can carry hundreds of megamps of current. These amperages are sufficient to supply a levitating force of 4 tons per meter of startram guideway, even when the conductors are separated by 20km.
Magneto Hydrodynamic (MHD) Pumps
MHD applications such as pumps, generators and thrusters have been used for decades. The Startram system uses a “MHD Window” which allows one end of the launch tube to be open the atmosphere, thus permitting launch of the vehicle. Normally, atmospheric gases would immediately fill up the tube and the launch vehicle would be subject to extreme heating and stresses associated with traveling 8km/sec in air. However, the MHD window allows ionized gasses to be continually expelled from the tube, thus maintaining a near-vacuum in the tube at all times.
High-strength Structural Tethers
One of the challenges of the Space Elevator concept is to engineer tethers that have breaking lengths (i.e. the length of tether can attain before it breaks under its own weight) of thousands of kilometers. Startram tethers, in contrast, needs tethers with breaking lengths of only tens of kilometers, which is well within the specifications of modern fibers.
http://www.startram.com/startram-technology
Consumers jump at Maxnet unlimited deal
Maxnet recently started offering unlimited broadband plans for $99.95 per month, with the only caveat being that consumers had to go on a wait list before being connected, so that the company could add users gradually to make sure the sudden influx of heavy usage didn’t harm connection speeds.
http://www.techday.co.nz/netguide/news/consumers-jump-at-maxnet-unlimited-deal/22255/6/
