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Laser driven launch vehicles for continuous access to spaceThe availability of megawatt laser systems in the next century will make laser launch systems from ground to orbit feasible and useful. Systems studies indicate launch capabilities of 1 ton payload per gigawatt laser power. Recent research in ground to orbit laser propulsion has emphasized laser supported detonation wave thrusters driven by repetitively pulsed infrared lasers. In this propulsion concept each laser repetition cycle consists of two pulses. A lower energy first pulse is used to vaporize a small amount of solid propellant and then after a brief expansion period, a second and higher energy laser pulse is used to drive a detonation wave through the expanded vapor. The results are reported of numerical studies comparing the detonation wave properties of various candidate propellants, and the simulation of thruster performance under realistic conditions. Experimental measurements designed to test the theoretical predictions are also presented. Measurements are discussed of radiance and opacity in absorption waves, and mass loss and momentum transfer. These data are interpreted in terms of specific impulse and energy conversion efficiency.
Document ID
19910012839
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Rollins, C. J.
(Physical Sciences, Inc. Andover, MA, United States)
Bailey, A.
(Physical Sciences, Inc. Andover, MA, United States)
Gelb, A.
(Physical Sciences, Inc. Andover, MA, United States)
Gauthier, M.
(Physical Sciences, Inc. Andover, MA, United States)
Goldey, C.
(Physical Sciences, Inc. Andover, MA, United States)
Lo, E.
(Physical Sciences, Inc. Andover, MA, United States)
Resendes, D.
(Physical Sciences, Inc. Andover, MA, United States)
Rosen, D.
(Physical Sciences, Inc. Andover, MA, United States)
Weyl, G.
(Physical Sciences, Inc. Andover, MA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Lewis Research Center, Vision-21: Space Travel for the Next Millennium
Subject Category
Launch Vehicles And Space Vehicles
Accession Number
91N22152
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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