The authors show that perfect propulsion requires a constant momentum mission as a consequence of Newton's second law. Perfect propulsion occurs when the velocity of the propelled mass in the inertial frame of reference matches the velocity of the propellant jet in the rocket frame of reference. They compare constant momentum propulsion to constant specific impulse propulsion, which, for a given specification of the mission Delta V, has an optimum specific impulse that maximizes the propelled mass per unit jet kinetic energy investment. They also describe findings of more than 50% efficiency for conversion of laser energy into jet kinetic energy by ablation of solids.
Benefit of Constant Momentum Propulsion for Large Delta V Missions -- Applications in Laser Propulsion
2004
11 pages
Report
No indication
English
Optics & Lasers , Rocket Engines & Motors , Rocket Propellants , Laser applications , Pulsed lasers , Rocket propulsion , Efficiency , Payload , Rocket launching , Rocket propellants , Specific impulse , Momentum , Kinetic energy , Symposia , Ablation , Energy conversion , Laser propulsion , Constant momentum propulsion , Propellant jets , Laser energy , Jet kinetic energy , Laser ablation , Delta v missions , Constant specific impulse propulsion
BENEFIT OF CONSTANT MOMENTUM PROPULSION FOR LARGE AV MISSIONS APPLICATION IN LASER PROPULSION
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2004
|Laser Propulsion and the Constant Momentum Mission
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2004
|Laser Propulsion and the Constant Momentum Mission
NTIS | 2003
|