Design of plasma launcher with gyro stabilized launch mass

This paper considers the design of a plasma electromagnetic launcher aimed at determining the gyroscopic stabilization of the launch mass. The basic idea is to provide the rotation to the projectile during its acceleration inside the bore by means of a rotating magnetic field. In order to create the rotating field, a three-phase winding coil system is adopted. The design procedure of the main elements (the rails, the coil system, and the projectile) of the electromagnetic device is described in detail. The results obtained for the specific ease of a launch mass of about 8 kg with outgoing velocity of 2 km/s are reported and discussed. Index Terms--Gyroscopic stabilization, plasma electromagnetic launcher, prototype design.