Laser launching a 5-kg object into low Earth orbit

Claude R. Phipps; James P. Reilly; Jonathan W. Campbell

doi:10.1117/12.407373

16 August 2000 Laser launching a 5-kg object into low Earth orbit

Claude R. Phipps, James P. Reilly, Jonathan W. Campbell

Proceedings Volume 4065, High-Power Laser Ablation III; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.407373
Event: High-Power Laser Ablation, 2000, Santa Fe, NM, United States

Abstract

Approximately ideal flight paths to low-Earth orbit (LEO) are illustrated for laser-driven flights using a 1-MW Earth-based laser, as well as sensitivity to variations from the optima. Different optima for ablation plasma exhaust velocity V_E, specific ablation energy Q*, and related quantities such as momentum coupling coefficient C_m and the pulsed or CW laser intensity are found depending upon whether it is desired to maximize mass m delivered to LEO, maximize the ratio m/M of orbit to ground mass, or minimize cost in energy per gram delivered. A notional, cone-shaped flyer is illustrated to provide a substrate for the discussion and flight simulations. Our flyer design conceptually and physically separates functions of light collection, light concentration on the ablator, and steering. All flights begin from an elevated platform. Flight simulations use a detailed model of the atmosphere and appropriate drag coefficients for sub- and supersonic flight in the continuum and molecular flow regimes. A 6.2-kg payload is delivered to LEO from an initial altitude of 35 km with launch efficiencies approaching vacuum values of about 100 kJ/g.

Citation Download Citation

Claude R. Phipps, James P. Reilly, and Jonathan W. Campbell "Laser launching a 5-kg object into low Earth orbit", Proc. SPIE 4065, High-Power Laser Ablation III, (16 August 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.407373

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