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Specific Impulse Definition for Ablative Laser PropulsionThe term "specific impulse" is so ingrained in the field of rocket propulsion that it is unlikely that any fundamental argument would be taken seriously for its removal. It is not an ideal measure but it does give an indication of the amount of mass flow (mass loss/time), as in fuel rate, required to produce a measured thrust over some time period This investigation explores the implications of being able to accurately measure the ablation rate and how the language used to describe the specific impulse results may have to change slightly, and recasts the specific impulse as something that is not a time average. It is not currently possible to measure the ablation rate accurately in real time so it is generally just assumed that a constant amount of material will be removed for each laser pulse delivered The specific impulse dependence on the ablation rate is determined here as a correction to the classical textbook definition.
Document ID
20040170454
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Herren, Kenneth A.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Gregory, Don A.
(Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2004
Subject Category
Spacecraft Instrumentation And Astrionics
Meeting Information
Meeting: Third International Symposium on Beamed Energy Propulsion
Location: Troy, NY
Country: United States
Start Date: October 11, 2004
End Date: October 13, 2004
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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