A space gun is a method of launching an object into space using a large gun, or cannon. It provides a method of non-rocket spacelaunch.
In the Project HARP a U.S. Navy 16 in (410 mm) 100 caliber gun was used to fire a 180 kg (400 lb) slug at 3600 m/s or 12,960 km/h (8,050 mph), reaching an apogee of 180 km (110 mi), hence performing a suborbital spaceflight. However, a space gun has never been successfully used to launch an object into orbit.
Read more about Space Gun: Technical Issues, Practical Attempts, In Fiction
Famous quotes containing the words space and/or gun:
“I take SPACE to be the central fact to man born in America.... I spell it large because it comes large here. Large and without mercy.”
—Charles Olson (1910–1970)
“Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?”
—Harvey Thew, screenwriter, John Bright, screenwriter, and Lowell Sherman. Lady Lou (Mae West)