Systems studies initiated by NASA HQ in 1991 confirmed that important new missions can be implemented by ground‐to‐space laser power beaming. Large near‐term space development opportunities can be enabled by fast, efficient and relatively inexpensive transportation of massive payloads from low earth orbit to any location in cislunar space. Early development of a permanent lunar base would be made feasible by this capability. Near‐earth objects up to 20 meters in diameter could be captured and maneuvered into useful orbits. All key technology requirements were quantified by our studies, and several research and development efforts were funded. The present paper will review the overall rationale, discuss tradeoff issues and quantify system requirements.
Ground to Space Laser Power Beaming: Missions, Technologies, and Economic Advantages
BEAMED ENERGY PROPULSION: First International Symposium on Beamed Energy Propulsion ; 2002 ; Huntsville, Alabama (USA)
AIP Conference Proceedings ; 664 , 1 ; 37-48
2003-05-14
12 pages
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
Ground to Space Laser Power Beaming: Missions, Technologies, and Economic Advantages
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