# Launch Loop presentation for Orycon 2015
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# intro
<SECTION      INTRO    >
<SLIDE   0First         0First.png           > #
<FLASH   title          looptitle01.swf loop > # payloads leaving
# 
#  I'm Keith Lofstrom. I'm an integrated circuit designer and space inventor.
# 
#  You are about to learn how we can use ordinary materials and
#  physics to inexpensively launch millions of tons of payload to
#  high orbits.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   rocketno       rocket_no.png        > # Rockets NO
#
#  We need a cleaner and cheaper launch system than rockets. 
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   V2             V2.jpg               > # V2 rocket
#
#  We have spent trillions of dollars learning how to make rockets.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   warhead        titan.png            > # titan missile warhead
#
#  Most rockets are optimized for lobbing H-bombs over the north pole. 
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   comsat         comsat.png           > # comsat
#
#  Some rockets are designed to put bus-sized,
#  billion dollar communication satellites into geosynchronous orbit
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   orbitcost1     orbitcost1.png       > # 10 thousand dollars
#
#  A billion dollar satellite can afford a quarter billion
#  dollar launch cost - ten thousand dollars per kilogram
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   orbitcost2     orbitcost2.png       > # 45 Megajoules
#
#  Most of the rocket's energy becomes heat and smoke. 
#  The actual energy delivered to the payload is only
#  58 megajoules per kilogram. 
#  I wany you to guess how much that energy costs, 
#  at 12 cents per kilowatt hour?
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   orbitcost3     orbitcost3.png       > # $1.50
#
#  About a buck fifty.  
#  Rockets are the best we've got,
#  But there is a huge opportunity for improvement.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SECTION  ALTERNATIVES >
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<SLIDE   massdriver     massdriver.png       > # ONeill mass driver
#
#  The mass driver is an electromagnetic coil gun.
#  This one accelerated a kilogram to 30 meters per second
#  The problem with mass drivers is gee forces, 
#     surface altitude air drag, and scaling. 
#  The cost scales as the mass times the velocity cubed.  
#  Scaling from their 1975 experiment yields a cost of 800 trillion dollars.  
#  Even with massive scaling efficiency, the cost will be in the trillions.
#
#  LESSON 1 - don't even think about launching with pulsed
#  electrical energy.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   northrup       Northrup.png         > # Northrup electric gun
#
#  Electric coilguns are not new.  
#  Here's one built by Edwin Fitch Northrup in the 1930s. 
#  E F Northrup was wealthy from inventing magnetic induction heating.
#  Like his friend Robert Goddard, he designed moon launchers.
#  He got closer than Goddard, but unfortunately, he and Goddard died
#    while von Braun lived.  
#  So we travel to space on modified war rockets, not with coilguns.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   laser          laser.png            > # Jordin Kare laser launch
# 
#  Lasers are more practical, but less efficient.  
#  This is Jordin Kare and Tom Nugent working on a 100 kilowatt CW laser.
#  They won a million dollar technolgy demonstration prize with it.
#
#  Scale that laser up a million times, and you can use it to heat
#    reaction fuel for a rocket. 
#  Interesting, but inefficient and expensive.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   elevator       SpaceElevator.png    > # Pearson space elevator
#
#  Most of you have heard of the Space Elevator.  
#  This is an enormously long cable held aloft by centrifugal force.
#  You climb up it with electric motors on vehicles.  The power
#  comes from lasers like Jordin's.
#  The problem is, we don't have the materials, and we need to
#  build from orbit downwards.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   offshoots      Offshoots.png        > #
#
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   balloon        balloon_sling.png    > # different physics
#
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SECTION     PHYSICS   >
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FLASH   scaleview0     loopgrow_0.png       > # PR launchloop grow
#
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<FLASH   scaleview      loopgrow_lin.swf     > # PR launchloop grow
#
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<FLASH   defl1kg        deflect1kg.swf  loop > # GD defl stream 1x
#
# Deflecting a stream of mass particles requires force.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<FLASH   defl4kgt       deflect4kgt.swf loop > # GD defl stream 4x text
#
#  If the stream is moving twice as fast, the force quadruples.  
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<FLASH   defl1ton       deflect1ton.swf loop > # GD defl stream 1 ton
#
#  Deflecting a one kilogram per meter stream moving 100 meters per
#  second by 60 degrees generates ten thousand newtons of force, and
#  can lift a ton.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<FLASH   deflmag        deflectmag.swf  loop > # GD defl stream magnet
#
#  We can't actually bounce discrete masses off the bottom of a platform.
#  Buf if they are magnetic material, we can deflect them with a magnet.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<FLASH   deflcurve      oval06.swf      loop > # PR defl stream linear magnet
#
#  Separated masses generate eddy current drag.  A continuous stream of 
#  mass can move with lower drag.  For the launch loop, the moving mass
#  is a long stiff iron pipe, called the rotor.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<FLASH   distweight     oval07.swf      loop > # PR distributed weight
#
#  The magnet and and the load can be spread out.  A moving stream can
#  support a long stationary platform.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<FLASH   earthcurve     oval08.swf      loop > # PR Earth curve 
#
#  If the stream is moving faster than earth orbital velocity,
#  8000 meters per second, it can support a stationary platform
#  following the curvature of the earth.  No magic levitation -
#  the centrifugal forces on the moving stream balance the 
#  gravitational forces
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<FLASH   closedloop     oval04.swf      loop > # PR closed oval
#
#  We don't need to run a mass stream all the way around the earth.  
#  Small radius, high force deflection magnets at each end of a 
#  shorter loop can also support a platform above the earth.
#
#  Lets use these physical principles to build something
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   rotorspecs     rotorspecs.png       > # OO Loop speed and weight
#
#  The launch loop rotor weighs 3 kilograms per meter, about 2 pounds
#  per foot, and moves at 14 thousand meters per second, almost twice
#  orbital velocity.  
#  The entire rotor loop is 56 hundred kilometers long, and a round
#  trip for the rotor takes 400 seconds.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   deflect10      deflectforce.png     > # OO Loop force per degree
#
#  Deflecting the rotor 8 degrees requires a force equivalent to 
#  the weight of 8 thousand tons.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   deflect180     deflect180.png       > # OO Loop force per turnaround
#
#  At the ends, the rotor is deflected 180 degrees, requiring a force
#  of 120 thousand tons.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   supportforce   supportforce.png     > # OO Loop launch support
#
#  It can support twice its weight of stationary track. 
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   energy         energy.png           > # OO Loop energy
#
#  The stored energy in the rotor is 460 gigawatt hours.  That is enough to
#  heat a cubic kilometer of seawater by 0.4 Celcius, or close to a half
#  megaton atomic bomb.  That can provide a lot of launch energy, but must
#  be disposed of safely if the launch loop fails.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<FLASH   fakepayload    oval05.swf      loop > # PR payload on oval
#  Payloads ride on magnets which ride on the rotor.  Drag on the 
#  rotor accelerates them to orbital velocity.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SECTION    LOOP       >
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<SLIDE   launchloop     launchloop.png       > # INK whole loop with labels
#
#  This is a simplified drawing of a launch loop.  Again, cross sections
#  are greatly exaggerated.  The length is 2800 kilometers, with a 2000 
#  kilometer, 1300 mile long launch path in the middle, at 80 kilometers
#  altitude.  There rotor completes an entire loop, travelling both east
#  and west along the launch path.
# 
#  The 2000 kilometer track can accelerate 5 ton vehicles up to earth 
#  escape velocities with less than 3 gee accelerations.
# 
#  The rotor supports a stationary magnetic track, and is surrounded
#  by a vacuum tunnel along its entire path.
# 
#  The rotor under the launch path travels west to east, is deflected
#  8 degrees downwards at east station, and follows a curved inclined
#  path down through the atmosphere to the east deflector, where it is
#  turned around and sent westward up the incline back to east station.
#  
#  From east station, it is sent westwards to west station, where it
#  is again deflected down by 8 degrees to the west deflector, back
#  up to west station, completing the loop. 
# 
#  A cable elevator - sort of a miniature space elevator - moves
#  vehicles up to west station for final stack and launch.
# 
#  Long cables connect the launch track and inclines to motors on
#  the surface, stabilizing the forces on the track.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   rotor          rotor.png            > # PR rotor core
#
#  The launch loop rotor weighs 3 kilograms per meter, about 2 pounds
#  per foot, and moves at 14 thousand meters per second, almost twice
#  orbital velocity.  
#  The entire rotor loop is 56 hundred kilometers long, and a round
#  trip for the rotor takes 400 seconds.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<BUILD   westturnnc     westturnnc.png       > # PR west turnaround no clouds
#
#  The turnarounds are relatively massive - they must couple more than
#  100 thousand tons of force to embedded anchors on the ocean floor.
#  Long linear induction motors efficently restore energy and momentum
#  removed by vehicle launch and drag.  
# 
#  A minimum 200 megawatt power plant can drive the launch of 80 tons
#  to low earth orbit per day.  A 20 gigawatt power plant can move 
#  15 thousand tons per day to low earth orbit, or 11 thousand tons
#  to escape velocity.  A 5 centimeter rotor can launch 4 million tons
#  into orbit per year.  Larger diameter rotors can launch correspondingly
#  larger vehicles and annual cargo volumes.  With enough space solar
#  power, we can exceed the capacity of the world's ocean cargo fleets.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<BUILD   inclinenc      inclinenc.png        > # PR incline closeup no clouds
#
#  The inclines bring the east and westbound rotors from the stations to
#  the turnarounds on the surface. 
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   inclinetrack   inclinetrack.png     > # PR incline
#
#  The launch track is in near vacuum.   
#  The incline sections pass through thick atmosphere.
#
#  The incline track and sheath are double-chambered and much thicker 
#  to stand off atmosphere, carry lightning currents, 
#  and resist wind forces and ice loads. 
#  The inclines do NOT carry vehicles.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<FLASH   elevator       elev_move.swf   loop > # PR elevator moving
#
#  Capsules are hauled up an 80 kilometer cable elevator from the
#  surface to west station.  They are attached to wings, magnets,
#  and apogee kick motors. 
# 
#  After some quick tests, assembled vehicles are magnetically coupled
#  to the eastbound rotor, and launched.  
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   track          track01a.png         > # PR launch track closeup
#
#  The launch track and rotor are a few inches in diameter.  Even at 80
#  kilometer altitude, there is significant drag, so the rotor is 
#  surrounded by a vacuum sheath.  Actively controlled electromagnets
#  adjust spacing between track and rotor, and magnetic actuators 
#  adjust forces on the track to the stabilization cables
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   trackbeer      track01b.png         > # PR launch track closeup beer
#
#  The diameter of the track is small.  Here is a beer bottle for scale.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   vehicle        vehicle1.png         > # PR side view of vehicle
#
#  Passenger vehicles are designed to re-enter in case of a launch aborts.
#  Much of the weight of this 10 meter long vehicle is a kick motor to
#  circularize the transfer orbit at apogee.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   powerloop      powerloop.png        > # OO power loop
#
#  The same principles and technology can be used to store energy.
#  We can build energy storage loops running under the water, 
#  a hundred kilometers off shore.
#  These can be slower and more massive.  
#  Power loops can store enough energy to power the US overnight,
#  or carry power between the US and Asia.  
#  The outer casing of the power loop would be a pipe similar to the
#  Alaska pipeline.
#  This technology can easily be scaled,
#  smaller and faster for space launch.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   sites          sites.png            > # OO equatorial ocean sites
#
#  Hundreds of launch loops can be built along the equator,
#  over the ocean, below the intertropical convergence zone
#  and above the southern hurricane zone.
#  
#  Launch loops are easier to deploy over water, and safer when they fail.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SECTION   Capture     >
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FLASH   kepler         kepler.swf      loop >
#
#  Kepler orbits around the earth are ellipses, with one focus at the earth.  
#  As the radius grows, the velocity slows - equal areas in equal times.
#  The orbit is closest to the earth at perigee, farthest at apogee.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   transfer       transfer1.png        >
#
#  Moving from the slow apogee of a highly elliptical transfer orbit to
#    a circular orbit at apogee radius requires additional velocity.
#  The apogee of a geosynchronous
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   apogeerocket    vehicle2.png         >
#
#  The
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<FLASH   tethercapture  cap12.swf loop       > 
#
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<FLASH   geocapture     cap05.swf loop       > 
#
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<FLASH   m288capture    cap14.swf loop       > 
#
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SECTION    CONCLUSION >
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<SLIDE   earthorbit     earthorbit.png       > # PR/GI earth orbit energy
#
#  What will a launch loop cost? 
#  ... I have no idea
#  I can quantify the energy costs to get vehicles from the surface
#  into a transfer orbit.  Those are shown in green.  
#  Additional delta V is needed to circularize at the top of the 
#  orbit.  For now, that requires rockets, reducing payload fraction
#  and adding to the cost.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   SFbooks        SF.png               > # SF book covers
#
#  The launch loop does appear in science fiction, 
#    but only in novels written by my friends.
#  Fred Pohl used it in his Heechee novels, and Bob Forward designed
#    one for a neutron star.  
#  R.G.  Williscroft just released "Slingshot",
#    a whole novel about building a launch loop.
#  It breaks in all novels - Argee fixed it again.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   LastTheorem    LastTheorem.jpg      > # Slingshot
#
#  There is a brief mention in Clarke and Pohl's "The Last Theorem",
#    only to dismiss it with a paragraph about vehicle friction
#    near the ground. 
#  Sir Arthur ignored the 80 kilometer altitude launch path - the air is
#    60 thousand times less dense up there.  
#  Ignoring that allowed him to write another novel using a space elevator.
#  Fred got to write a novel with Sir Arthur, so he's forgiven.
#  And I am honored to be the victim of a violation
#   of Clarke's second law, perpetrated by Sir Arthur himself.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   summary        summary.png          > # OO summary
#
#  So that's the launch loop,
#  an electrically powered reusable launch system.
#  made from ordinary materials,
#  that can put millions of tons into orbit per year.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   help           help.png             > # OO website
#
#  This won't get done without help.  Go to the wiki website,
#  find a problem, and solve it.
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<SLIDE   the_end        the_end.png          > # OO website
#
#  Questions?
# --------------------------------------------------------------- <<<<<<<<<<<
<END>
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<SECTION    MORE       >
<SLIDE   failure        failure.png          > # OO failure ocean
<SLIDE   supercond      superconductor.png   > # OO superconductors
<SLIDE   turnaround     turnaround.png       > # OO turnaround cross section
<SLIDE   fourier        fourier.png          > # OO spatial fourier control

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