Theory of a multistage light gas gun

The theory of multistage kinetic energy transfer is applied to the acceleration of a light projectile in a light gas gun (LGG). It is argued that a better overall gun efficiency can be obtained if the kinetic energy 1/2M1V12 of the first piston is not directly transferred to the light projectile but proceeds via an intermediate stage transfer mediated by a second piston M2M2.Application of such a gun to satellite or robot craft launching is outlined as well as some new technological features in the gun design.