The heat‐exchanger (HX) thruster and modular laser array provide a comparatively low‐risk route to a ground‐to‐orbit laser launch system. Recently, the reference designs for the propulsion system, laser array, and overall launch system have evolved significantly. By combining a variable flow of dense propellant with the primary hydrogen propellant, the heat exchanger thruster can trade reduced for increased thrust at liftoff, with minimal increase in tank mass. Single‐mode CW fiber lasers up to 10 kW power allow a beam module to be built with off‐the‐shelf commercial lasers. Low‐cost high‐radiance laser diode arrays can deliver launch‐level fluxes of over tens of kilometers, sufficient to power a vehicle through the atmosphere, and high enough to hand off propulsion to a main laser array several hundred kilometers downrange. These and other enhancements enable a system design with a true single‐stage vehicle in which the only component not yet demonstrated is the silicon‐carbide heat exchanger itself.
Update on Modular Laser Launch System and Heat Exchanger Thruster
BEAMED ENERGY PROPULSION: Seventh International Symposium ; 2011 ; Ludwigsburg, (Germany)
AIP Conference Proceedings ; 1402 , 1 ; 19-30
10.11.2011
12 pages
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Update on modular laser launch system and heat exchanger thruster
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