orbital_mass_driver

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orbital_mass_driver [2026/04/15 02:34] – created mechamorbital_mass_driver [2026/04/16 15:27] (current) – [Militarization] mecham
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 ====== Orbital Mass Driver ====== ====== Orbital Mass Driver ======
  
-Orbital mass drivers (OMD) are electromagnetically driven surface to space launch systems. They are divided into two types - passenger and cargo. OMDs are typically seen on worlds with little to no atmosphere.+Orbital mass drivers (OMD) are electromagnetically driven launch systems. They are divided into two types - passenger and cargo. OMDs are typically seen on worlds with little to no atmosphere, or in space. Space OMDs are known as Linear Drive Systems (LDS).
  
 ===== Design ===== ===== Design =====
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 Cargo drivers are OMDs built specifically to deliver non-living materials into orbit. Since there are fewer G restrictions, cargo drivers are typically high speed linear accelerators. Payloads can experience anywhere between 10-100gs of acceleration depending on the design of the driver. Cargo drivers are OMDs built specifically to deliver non-living materials into orbit. Since there are fewer G restrictions, cargo drivers are typically high speed linear accelerators. Payloads can experience anywhere between 10-100gs of acceleration depending on the design of the driver.
  
 +Cargo drivers were first trialed on [[luna|Luna]] in the 21st century to deliver cargo from the surface to low Earth orbit.
 ==== Passenger Drivers ==== ==== Passenger Drivers ====
  
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 ===== Limitations ===== ===== Limitations =====
  
-OMDs become less efficient relative to the atmosphere's thickness. Thicker atmospheres introduce issues such as heating through drag, the need to build the exit higher, and compensation for poor weather.+OMDs become less efficient relative to the atmosphere's thickness. Thicker atmospheres introduce issues such as heating through drag, the need to build the exit higher, and compensation for poor weather. These issues can be mitigated by enshrouding the entire track in a vacuum tunnel, which introduces more cost and complexity to the system.
  
-In little to no atmosphere, OMDs cannot rely on the atmosphere for cooling, and as such, requires large active cooling systems or long downtime to dissipate heat on the rails and in the system.+In little to no atmosphere, OMDs cannot rely on air cooling, and as such, requires large active cooling systems or long downtime to dissipate heat on the rails and in the system.
  
 +OMD launch rails wear down over time and must be replaced. Since each system is custom built, replacement rail sections may be time consuming to produce. The GHI-Express design was introduced as a way of standardizing mass driver components.
  
 +===== Militarization =====
 +
 +OMDs have a secondary use as an interplanetary siege weapon and as an orbit denial weapon. Payloads can consist of starfighters, missiles, solid mass, and mines. In a strategic sense, OMDs are less important than mobile launchers since they are static and typically quickly destroyed via long range orbital bombardment. Military mass drivers are typically built underground.
  • orbital_mass_driver.1776220472.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2026/04/15 02:34
  • by mecham