Laser Propulsion

Abstract

“Beamed Energy Propulsion” is distinguished by its use of a collimated laser or microwave beam that enables long‐distance wireless power supply, no‐fuel airbreathing flight, high heating rates (detonation and ablation) by beam focusing, and other useful features. Remotely powered space propulsion is a potential alternative to chemical and electric propulsion. Compact onboard laser thrusters also provide unique features. This chapter presents a worldwide review of beamed energy propulsion studies, most of which have been reported at the series of International Symposium on Beamed Energy Propulsion (ISBEP).

Beamed Launch Propulsion

“…In the times of early 2000s, several different types of RP laser propulsion have been invented and investigated experimentally. The concepts of laser propulsion that have been proposed so far are reviewed in the two review papers in detail [9,10]. From the research team of the author, new laser launch system using "donut-beam," whose power density has hollow distribution on the cross-sectional plane, higher at peripheral of the cross section than at the center, and a spherical vehicle for stable acceleration has been proposed.…”

Observation of Oblique Laser-Supported Detonation Wave Propagating in Atmospheric Air

“…Laser-induced discharge and its accompanying blast wave has been an interesting subject for aeronautical and astronautical engineering applications [1][2][3][4]. When an incident laser intensity exceeds a certain threshold, such as 10 12 -10 13 W/m 2 , an ionization front propagates with an attached shock wave in a direction opposite to the laser beam irradiation [1]. This phenomenon is known as laser-supported detonation (LSD).…”

Development of a Novel Launch System Microwave Rocket Powered by Millimeter-Wave Discharge

“…The use of electric power presents many benefits because of its efficiency, nontoxicity, and nonexplosive features. Beamed energy propulsion [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] used as a space transportation system gains its propulsive energy wirelessly from outside of the vehicle using beamed energy. Various propulsion mechanisms have been proposed as alternatives to conventional chemical rocket propulsion.…”