Abstract
Key design parameters of railguns are examined, namely, the inductance gradient, current distribution, electromagnetic pulses distribution and rail separation forces. A comparison of coaxial and parallel railguns indicates that the coaxial system has some advantages and should be considered during system design tradeoffs for an orbiting space probe launcher. It is suggested that an orbiting launcher could be used to send small and relatively inexpensive probes towards the planets and asteroid belt. A small, low-energy capacitor-powered coaxial railgun designed and built to demonstrate the armature acceleration and absence of the electromagnetic pulse forward of the armature is described. >
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