Abstract

Large electromagnetic thrusts in air can be obtained from the discharge of advanced capacitors into a toroidal spark gap engine (TSGE). Details of how to build a small model are presented. A fully-developed, air-breathing TSGE pulse-jet could launch a small delta wing vehicle into earth orbit, powered from a concentrated solar beam generator located and operating already in Barstow, California. Many technical issues must be addressed, such as thermal management, the existence of waste solar heat on the vehicle, and improving engine performance.