A Breakthrough Propulsion Architecture for Interstellar Precursor Missions: Phase I Final ReportOur breakthrough propulsion architecture is an innovative way to take advantage of kilometer-scale, multi-hundred megawatt, space-based, phased-array lasers to enable rapid transportation throughout the solar system. In this architecture, the laser would beam power over distances of up to 40 AU increasing the available power density relative to solar insolation by two orders of magnitude. The receiving vehicle would have a photovoltaic array with cells tuned to the laser frequency that outputs a voltage of 6 kV to directly-drive a lithium-fueled gridded ion thruster system at an ultra-high specific impulse of 40,000 s. Such a system could enable final spacecraft speeds of greater than 40 AU/year, potentially enabling missions to the solar gravity lens focus at 550 AU in less than 15 years. This is the propulsion architecture of the 22nd century.
Document ID
20180006589
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Other
Authors
Brophy, John (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Polk, James (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Alkalai, Leon (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Nesmith, Bill (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Grandidier, Jonathan (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Lubin, Philip (University of Southern California Santa Barbara, CA, United States)