Beamed Energy Propulsion: Research Status And Needs-Part 1

One promising solution to the operationally responsive space is the application of remote electromagnetic energy to propel a launch vehicle into orbit. With beamed energy propulsion, one can leave the power source stationary on the ground or space, and direct heat propellant on the spacecraft with a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:AIP conference proceedings 2008-01, Vol.997 (1), p.3-16
Main Author: Birkan, Mitat
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AIR
BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE
CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS
HEAT
LASER RADIATION
LASERS
MICROWAVE RADIATION
ORBITS
PLASMA PRODUCTION
PROPULSION
PULSES
REVIEWS
ROCKETS
SPACE
VEHICLES
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Summary:One promising solution to the operationally responsive space is the application of remote electromagnetic energy to propel a launch vehicle into orbit. With beamed energy propulsion, one can leave the power source stationary on the ground or space, and direct heat propellant on the spacecraft with a beam from a fixed station. This permits the spacecraft to leave its power source at home, saving significant amounts of mass, greatly improving performance. This concept, which removes the mass penalty of carrying the propulsion energy source on board the vehicle, was first proposed by Arthur Kantrowitz in 1972; he invoked an extremely powerful ground based laser. The same year Michael Minovich suggested a conceptually similar 'in-space' laser rocket system utilizing a remote laser power station. In the late 1980's, Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) funded continuous, double pulse laser and microwave propulsion while Strategic Defense Initiative Office (SDIO) funded ablative laser rocket propulsion. Currently AFOSR has been funding the concept initiated by Leik Myrabo, repetitively pulsed laser propulsion, which has been universally perceived, arguably, to be the closest for mid-term applications. This 2-part paper examines the investment strategies in beamed energy propulsion and technical challenges to be overcome. Part 1 presents a world-wide review of beamed energy propulsion research, including both laser and microwave arenas.
ISSN:0094-243X
1551-7616
DOI:10.1063/1.2931910