"China's Ambitious Space Rail Gun Projects: From Hypersonic Jets to Giant Space Planes"
Chinese scientists are working on a giant electromagnetic launch track to propel a 50-ton spaceplane into orbit at speeds of up to Mach 1.6, aiming to reduce the need for traditional rocket fuel and cut costs. This ambitious project, similar to a past NASA endeavor, faces technical challenges but is deemed feasible and safe for astronauts. Despite the considerable investment and potential advantages in maglev technology, its actual realization and use for launching astronauts into space remain uncertain.