Laser propulsion for ground launch

article





Resendes, D.P.

Mota, S.

Mendonça, J.T.

Sanders, B.

Encarnação, J.

Del Amo, J.G.
Ground-to-orbit launch using laser propulsion requires a thermal system. A number of such thermal thruster concepts have been developed in the past Thus far, only the laser-supported detonation thruster concept has led to a flight vehicle, the Lightcraft. It is shown via flight simulations and measurements with the Lightcraft that there are no inherent limitations for a ground-to-orbit launch vehicle using laser propulsion. A planar geometry laser-supported detonation thruster using a CO2 laser is considered and its performance evaluated. A 10-km height flight vehicle using existing lasers is proposed. Copyright © 2006 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. All rights reserved.
Topics








Carbon dioxide lasersFlight simulatorsLaser applicationsOrbitsGround-to-orbit launch vehicleLaser propulsionLightcraftThermal systemLaunching
TNO Identifier
183441
Repository link
https://resolver.tno.nl/uuid:715b4086-eb78-49d4-bbf3-a7133c3d247f
ISSN
07484658
Source
Journal of Propulsion and Power, 23(1 (January-February)), pp. 73-80.
Pages
73-80
Files
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