Results of recent research on electromagnetic launch technology in Russia

This paper presents the most important research results obtained during the past two years and the main prospects for the electromagnetic, electrodischarge, and electrothermo-chemical (ETC) launch technologies. This research has been focused on the development and improvement of electric launchers. Pulsed-power supplies and technological aspects have also been studied. Among the most interesting results are the design of a combined electrodischarge accelerator, results of studies of a high-current electric discharge in superdense hydrogen at initial particle concentrations of up to 4/spl times/10/sup 22/ cm/sup -3/ at the Institute of Problems of Electrophysics of Russian Academy of Sciences (IPE RAS), and results of integrated studies of rail launchers performed at the TRINITI, Lavrent´ev Institute of Hydrodynamics, High-Temperature Institute, and Ioffe Physico-Technical Institute. Much attention has been given to promising types of propellant for ETC launchers and methods of their ignition. These investigations have been performed at the Institute of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, Tomsk State University. Research aimed at improving characteristics of important element of pulsed-power sources - high-current switches - has been conducted at the All-Russian Electrotechnical Institute and at the Ioffe Physico-Technical Institute.