General Atomics ElectroMagnetic Systems submitted a report to the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) evaluating the effectiveness of the lunar electromagnetic catapult in transporting minerals from the Moon to Earth.
Electromagnetic launch of minerals from the surface of an Earth satellite could be more effective than conventional rocket launches, according to the document.
General Atomics ElectroMagnetic Systems researchers proposed not creating the technology from scratch but improving the electromagnetic launch system currently used on the U.S. Navy’s nuclear aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford.
The paper also offers suggestions on how the electromagnetic accelerator could be improved. It is also emphasized that the safe, cheap and stable transportation of cargo from the Moon will be a particularly important turning point.