Using an Artsimovich Railgun for Return from the Moon

Nonstandard techniques to deliver a payload from the Moon to Earth are explored. Two approaches are compared, which are based on using a space elevator and an acceleration device, the Artsimovich railgun. The energy needed to launch a payload to a low lunar orbit and the $$L_{1}$$ libration point in the Earth–Moon system is estimated. We conclude that the railgun is economically advantageous compared to the space elevator and standard jet technologies.