This paper reviews the basic concepts of laser propulsion and summarizes work done to date using a 10 kW device. The paper describes a candidate megawatt class CO2 laser system which can be scaled relatively near‐term to multi‐megawatt power levels using demonstrated technology. Such a system would potentially be capable of launching micro‐satellites into low earth orbits (LEO) at relatively low cost. Our projections indicate that payloads of about 1kg/megawatt are achievable. The long wavelength of a CO2 laser will require the use of a large aperture telescope and/or large effective beam capture area for the lift vehicle. We believe that these limitations, not withstanding, rep‐pulsed CO2 in a blow‐down configuration lasting 200–300 seconds could achieve the desired propulsion objectives. The laser would use a helium‐free, nitrogen/carbon dioxide mixture to provide a very cost effective fuel.
Launching of Micro‐satellites Using Ground‐based High‐power Pulsed Lasers
BEAMED ENERGY PROPULSION: Third International Symposium on Beamed Energy Propulsion ; 2004 ; Troy, New York (USA)
AIP Conference Proceedings ; 766 , 1 ; 32-45
27.04.2005
14 pages
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Launching Micro-Satellites Using a Commercial GEO Satellite RideShare Concept
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2009
|Online Contents | 1997
|NASA Launching Your Small Satellites
NTRS | 2015
|