Railgun accelerators for gram-sized projectiles

The operation and critical parameters of railguns are compared to the potential and actual performance of other types of macroparticle accelerators. Conventional projectile launchers are limited to launch velocities of the order of 10 km/s. Railguns enable research and applications at previously unattainable velocities. Velocities in excess of 10 km/s will lead to new research at high pressure and high energy-density. Furthermore, velocities of the order of 20 km/s will permit orbital launching from the Earth's surface. These and other applications of railguns are discussed.