Can a Railgun-Powered Ramjet Solve the Challenges of High-Speed Travel?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the concept of a Hypervelocity Passenger Vehicle powered by a railgun and ramjet system, addressing challenges in high-speed travel. The proposed design aims to achieve speeds of Mach 8.8, but faces significant engineering hurdles, particularly with engine design and cooling systems. A key question raised is the temperature at which air could become superconductive, which is clarified as non-existent since air cannot become superconducting and would separate into different gases. The conversation highlights the need for advanced materials that can withstand extreme conditions without shattering. Overall, the feasibility of this innovative propulsion concept remains uncertain due to these scientific limitations.
BoeingJet
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
Recently, I designed (in my head) a Hypervelocity Passenger Vehicle (just a cool name for really high speed transports). I immediately ran into engine design problems ( I like designing everything stand-alone), since regular jet engines can't get to Mach 8.8 without burning up into flames, and rocket engines are too polluting (and also I was obsessed with nuclear jet engines which doesn't use up any fuel whatsoever)
So I spent roughly 2 minutes having a headache before coming up with an insane solution. A railgun-powered ramjet. (I named it Excel 1) However it would require laser-cooling systems to cool the Mach 8.8 air to a temperature where it becomes superconductive before being ejected out from the end by a railgun-style pulse engine design.

My questions: At which temperature would air become superconductive?
Is it possible to make a material which could sustain that temperature without shattering?
Would it be possible?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
BoeingJet said:
My questions: At which temperature would air become superconductive?

There is no temperature at which air becomes superconducting. In fact, as the different gases condense into separate liquids, it ceases being air.
 
How about oxygen?
 
Thread closed for Moderation...
 
@BoeingJet -- Please check your Private Messages so I can help you understand a few things about your OP. Thanks. :smile:
 

Thread '2:1 Pulley Question'

I have Mass A being pulled vertically. I have Mass B on an incline that is pulling Mass A. There is a 2:1 pulley between them. The math I'm using is: FA = MA / 2 = ? t-force MB * SIN(of the incline degree) = ? If MB is greater then FA, it pulls FA up as MB moves down the incline. BUT... If I reverse the 2:1 pulley. Then the math changes to... FA = MA * 2 = ? t-force MB * SIN(of the incline degree) = ? If FA is greater then MB, it pulls MB up the incline as FA moves down. It's confusing...
View full post »

Thread 'Why do all my clocks run slow?'

Hi. I noticed that all electronic devices in my household that also tell time eventually lag behind, except the ones that get synchronized by radio signal or internet. Most of them are battery-powered, except my alarm clock (which runs slow as well). Why does none of them run too fast? Deliberate design (why)? Wrong temperature for quartz crystal? Decreasing battery voltage? Or just a coincidence?
View full post »

Similar threads

Ramjet artillery shell of a big size
Replies
35
Views
7K
How Can I Design an Efficient Water Heating System for a High Flow Pool?
Replies
18
Views
3K
Hypervelocity cannons: Why not centrifugal?
Replies
43
Views
6K
On-demand steam engine idea
Replies
14
Views
2K
How Can I Calculate Pulse Jet Engine Dimensions Using Air as Oxidizer?
Replies
4
Views
14K
I Understanding the thrust generated by a typical jet engine
Replies
2
Views
3K
Can a Hybrid Lightning Jet Engine Outperform a Traditional Jet Engine?
Replies
2
Views
1K
A practical way to vaporize fuel for high MPG?
Replies
33
Views
411
Jet Engine performance in Cold Weather
Replies
3
Views
6K
Fusion aerospace propulsion systems for the near future
Replies
23
Views
5K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top