We have developed a new type of miniature jet for pointing microsatellites. It is based on laser ablation produced by a multi-mode diode laser. The target is a specially prepared tape with a transparent layer through which the laser light passes and an absorbing layer which produces the thrust. We have achieved specific impulse up to 1000 seconds (greater than possible with chemistry), together with laser momentum coupling coefficients of order 6 dyne/W. The preprototype should achieve 100 dynes of thrust. We will discuss the target interaction physics, the materials science involved in creating the targets, and some of our measurements with the preprototype thruster.


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    Title :

    Laser-ablation-powered mini-thruster


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    High-Power Laser Ablation IV ; 2002 ; Taos,New Mexico,United States


    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2002-09-13





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



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