A Seaborne Platform for the Launching of Microsatellites by Long Barrelled Guns

Abstract

A marine platform for launching of low to medium orbit satellites from a railgun projectile is described. The railgun is to be placed within a pressure hull, which can be lowered into the sea for the launch. The platform carrying the railgun and the pressure hull shall be a ship of the Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) type, a proven platform that offers a smooth launching environment over a range of sea states. The platform shall also provide the energy required for launching of the gun. Besides the desired task, it can also be used as a launching platform for suborbital projectiles.