The present invention discloses systems and methods for electromagnetic spacecraft propulsion or thrust generation without the expulsion of reaction mass. The systems include capacitor assemblies with a switch-controlled conductive discharge path, a means of charging the capacitor assemblies, a means of generating magnetic fields using electromagnetic coils, and a means for periodically shaping the intensity, duration and polarity of magnetic fields from the coils. Thrust is generated through the interaction of the shaped magnetic fields and the segmented current in the conductive discharge path during capacitor discharge.

An electromagnetic accelerator system may include a barrel defining a bore through which an acceleration path extends. An electromagnetic coil may be positioned around the barrel such that the acceleration path extends through a core of the electromagnetic coil. A first electrical contact may be positioned along the acceleration path approximately within the core of the electromagnetic coil and electrically coupled to the electromagnetic coil. A second electrical contact may position along the acceleration path approximately within the core of the electromagnetic coil and spaced apart from the first electrical contact. The second electrical contact may be electrically coupleable to the first electrical contact to complete a circuit when a projectile to be accelerated is positioned therebetween.

This disclosure describes various techniques and systems for rapid low-cost access to suborbital and orbital space and accommodation of acceleration of sensitive payloads to space. For example, a distributed gas injection system may be used in a ram accelerator to launch multiple payloads through the atmosphere. Additionally or alternatively, multiple projectiles may assemble during flight through the atmosphere to transfer and/or resources to another projectile.

The present disclosure provides systems, devices, and techniques that can be implemented at a gun, such as an electromechanical gun. The gun may include a barrel located within a slide and a cylindrical spring enveloping the barrel. The barrel may be configured to act as a guide rod for the cylindrical spring, and the cylindrical spring may be configured to bias the slide in a forward battery position. The gun may include an electronic component such as an energy store, a processor, or a circuit board, located under the barrel and forward of the trigger when the gun is in an upright position. The gun may include a physical transmission medium that electronically couples the electronic component with an additional electronic component located rearward of the trigger, and the physical transmission medium may be at least partially encapsulated by a trigger guard.

A launcher and projectile system include at least one magnet disposed on or within the launcher for charging a wire coil of the projectile to energize the projectile, thereafter having a housing of the projectile rupture, disintegrate, separate or otherwise have an opening created therein after launch to release a payload. In another embodiment, an accessory for a launcher and projectile is provided, the accessory comprising a magnet for charging a projectile that is launched by the launcher. The strength of magnetic field of the magnet may be adjusted for selective performance of the projectile.

A launcher and projectile system include at least one magnet disposed on or within the launcher for charging a wire coil of the projectile to energize the projectile, thereafter having a housing of the projectile rupture, disintegrate, separate or otherwise have an opening created therein after launch to release a payload. In another embodiment, an accessory for a launcher and projectile is provided, the accessory comprising a magnet for charging a projectile that is launched by the launcher. The strength of magnetic field of the magnet may be adjusted for selective performance of the projectile.

A projectile includes a projectile housing with at least one compartment, an energizable energy storage means, a payload, a control circuit, and an initiator. The payload may be sequestered in one compartment of the projectile until the projectile is separated or opened. A ram element within the projectile may move within the projectile to cause the opening of a projectile. The projectile may include a means for activating the initiator via dynamic induction. In an example embodiment, the projectile comprises a coil that is operatively coupled to a magnetic element of a launcher. The projectile may be charged dynamically as via interaction between the coil and magnetic element as the projectile moves within the launcher.

A projectile includes a projectile housing with at least one compartment, an energizable energy storage means, a payload, a control circuit, and an initiator. The payload may be sequestered in one compartment of the projectile until the projectile is separated or opened. A ram element within the projectile may move within the projectile to cause the opening of a projectile. The projectile may include a means for activating the initiator via dynamic induction. In an example embodiment, the projectile comprises a coil that is operatively coupled to a magnetic element of a launcher. The projectile may be charged dynamically as via interaction between the coil and magnetic element as the projectile moves within the launcher.

A system using Faraday's law to rapidly direct convert the kinetic energy of a magnetized and/or conducting projectile into usable electrical energy. The system includes a barrel comprising a bore; a circuit including a plurality of electrically conductive components distributed along a length of the bore; and a projectile comprising at least one of a conductive material or a magnetic material magnetically coupled to the electrically conductive components when the projectile is moving along the length of the bore. The circuit stores energy generated from an electric current induced in the electrically conductive components when the projectile moving along the length of the bore causes a magnetic interaction between the electrically conductive components and the magnetic material or the conductive material. The magnetic interaction also causes braking of the projectile.

An object of the present invention is to provide a capture device enabling capture of a target to be captured without direction contact with the target to be captured.

A capture device for capturing a target with a wire includes: a casing that holds a cartridge detachably; and a launch unit that launches a wire stored in the cartridge, the wire having an end portion provided with a weight and another end portion provided with a weight, in which the launch unit launches the wire with a magnetic field generated by a flow of current through a coil.