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.


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    Title :

    Launching of Micro‐satellites Using Ground‐based High‐power Pulsed Lasers


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    BEAMED ENERGY PROPULSION: Third International Symposium on Beamed Energy Propulsion ; 2004 ; Troy, New York (USA)


    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2005-04-27


    Size :

    14 pages





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



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