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 I sp 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 5–10  MW / m 2 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.


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    Title :

    Update on Modular Laser Launch System and Heat Exchanger Thruster


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    BEAMED ENERGY PROPULSION: Seventh International Symposium ; 2011 ; Ludwigsburg, (Germany)


    Published in:

    AIP Conference Proceedings ; 1402 , 1 ; 19-30


    Publication date :

    2011-11-10


    Size :

    12 pages





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



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    Kare, Jordin T. | American Institute of Physics | 2003


    Near-Term Laser Launch Capability: The Heat Exchanger Thruster

    Kare, J. T. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2003


    Development Programs for the Heat Exchanger Thruster and HX Laser Launch System

    Kare, J. T. / Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2004


    Development Programs for the Heat Exchanger Thruster and HX Laser Launch System

    Kare, Jordin T. | American Institute of Physics | 2004