US Air Force concept
Ring accelerator using superconducting magnets accelerates (small) 
payload to orbital speeds over arbitrarily long periods and then lets 
it escape to a transition ramp. 2000g accelerations suggested. Artists 
conception of transition ramp length probably very unrealistic. 
Suffers from all the usual Mach 23 at ground level issues. Immense 
forces on accelerating structure. Might even work.


    http://www.newscientistspace.com/article/dn10180


        Russell

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