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Electromagnetic Launching for Affordable Agile Access to Space

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Air Force 		Award ID:
73336 		Program Year/Program:
2007 / STTR
Agency Tracking Number:
F054-001-0353 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
ADVANCED MAGNET LAB, INC.
328A West Hibiscus Blvd. Melbourne, FL 32901
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 2
Fiscal Year: 2007
Title: Electromagnetic Launching for Affordable Agile Access to Space
Agency / Branch: DOD / USAF
Contract: FA9550-07-C-0037
Award Amount: $499,705.00
 

Abstract:

The conceptual design of a novel, hypersonic electromagnetic launch system has been developed. Phase-1 assumed a 100-kg projectile leaving the launcher at 7,000 m/sec. The projectile is propelled and levitated by electromagnetic forces inside a tube filled with low pressure helium. A controlled acceleration profile, fully adjustable to the requirements of various missions, is used to reach 5000 gees in a 500-meter long launch tube. A constant-flux synchronous motor concept, developed during Phase-1, is a breakthrough technology that provides contact-free propulsion and self-centering suspension with sufficient stiffness and thrust. Rapid spin introduced into the projectile prior to acceleration enhances trajectory stabilization. The use of high-current, persistent-mode superconducting coils in the projectile generates high thrust force with near-zero heat dissipation. No brushes or projectile power supplies are needed. The low-pressure helium atmosphere in the launcher reduces aerodynamic disturbances and aerothermal heating during acceleration. The system is highly scalable to various payloads and launch speeds for a wide range of applications from kinetic kill weapons to direct LEO insertion of small payloads. The enabling technologies of the system, the constant-flux synchronous motor and the high-current superconducting projectile coils, will be qualified in the proposed Phase 2.

Principal Investigator:

Rainer B. Meinke
President
3215432561
rbmeinke@magnetlab.com

Business Contact:

Gerrold Stelzer
Vice President
3217287543
gstelzer@magnetlab.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

ADVANCED MAGNET LAB, INC.
328A West Hibiscus Blvd. Melbourne, FL 32901

EIN/Tax ID: 593342969
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
Research Institution Information:
FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
150 West University Blvd.
Melbourne, FL 32901
Contact: Robert Merrill
Contact Phone: (312) 674-8043
RI Type: Nonprofit college or university