Combining electrodynamic and reaction acceleration in a railgun

The parameters of the plasma of a high-current discharge in a restricted volume (discharge chamber) of a body moving in an electrodynamic accelerator (railgun) with plasma ejection through the nozzles are studied theoretically. A jet ejection scheme that eliminates the possibility of electric breakdown between the rails behind the body is proposed. It is demonstrated computationally that the jet efflux has a significant effect on the pressure in the discharge chamber. The reaction component of the thrust turned out to be reasonably large. At the same time, the plasma temperature in the discharge chamber and the material evaporation rate are high and may lead to destruction of the chamber.