The use of large ground based lasers to radiate power into a rocket engine allows arbitrary choice of propellant and specific impulse. The case of launch of one ton payload from near ground to geosynchronous transfer ellipse appears to be feasible using stacked carbon dioxide repetitive pulse lasers. Atmospheric propagation is enhanced by bleaching out CO2 absorption and using phase correction of the thermal blooming generated, 1 microradian beam spreading can be achieved. The use of pulsed lasers permits an engine based on the laser detonation wave, in which laser energy is efficiently absorbed by inverse Bremsstrahlung in the propellant, which then expands out of the engine and provides thrust.
Investigation of Laser Propulsion. Volume I
1977
144 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Rocket Engines & Motors , Rocket engines , Rocket propulsion , Carbon dioxide lasers , Pulsed lasers , Space propulsion , Ground stations , Laser beams , Specific impulse , Rocket launching , Payload , Synchronous satellites , Orbits , Transfer trajectories , Stacking , Boost phase , Detonation waves
Investigation of Laser Propulsion. Volume II
NTIS | 1977
|Tema Archiv | 1984
|AIAA | 1972
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