On 6 Jun, 17:47, Joe Strout wrote:
In article .com,

wrote:
See:

http://blog.wired.com/defense/2007/0...tron_spac.html

I'm not sure whether it could ever work for Earth-to-Orbit launch... but
it might make a dandy launcher from the lunar surface (where there is no
atmosphere to slam into), or an engine for large spacecraft that can
make use of a wide variety of materials for reaction mass.

Though looking at the masses of the launcher, it might be cheaper to
build a linear accelerator for very high accelerations. That of course
requires lots of massive capacitors, but could be limited to 300m long
for Earth launch.

Both devices are small enough that they could be built very high up -
like on the top of Kilimanjaro.

Whether the atmospheric problem can be solved I don't know.

Any thoughts on the best launch inclination? Low inclination is more
efficient, high inclination clears the atmosphere sooner.