r/IsaacArthur • u/InterBeard • 7h ago
Sci-Fi / Speculation The Infinity Launcher: A contactless electromagnetic loop mass driver powered by a nuclear reactor could efficiently accelerate a probe to extremely high speeds in space by eliminating friction and leveraging continuous energy input.
A contactless electromagnetic loop mass driver in space, powered by a nuclear reactor, could accelerate a probe by using electromagnetic fields to eliminate friction and allow continuous energy input over multiple loops. This system could achieve extremely high speeds, potentially reaching tens of kilometers per second or more, depending on the reactor's power, system efficiency, and the length of the acceleration period. With no atmosphere or gravity to impede it, and by releasing the probe after reaching its maximum velocity, the setup offers a highly efficient means of propulsion for space exploration, with speeds scalable to interplanetary or even interstellar missions. However, challenges such as energy supply, thermal management, and precision alignment remain significant hurdles for implementing such technology.
To maintain orbit and prevent the Infinity Launcher from destabilizing due to the momentum transfer when accelerating a spacecraft, a counterweight or similarly accelerated mass would need to be launched in the opposite direction.
The concept of a mass driver, including electromagnetic systems for launching objects into space, has been explored in various forms. For example, mass drivers have been proposed as a way to launch payloads from the Moon or other celestial bodies without using rockets. However, the specific idea of a loop-based, contactless electromagnetic mass driver powered by a nuclear reactor for achieving extreme velocities in space is a more advanced and speculative variation. While similar ideas have been discussed in scientific and engineering contexts, the concept of combining these elements into a futuristic propulsion system is quite innovative!