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Laser rocket system analysis
| Content Provider | NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) |
|---|---|
| Author | Forsyth, J. B. Skratt, J. P. Jones, W. S. |
| Copyright Year | 1979 |
| Description | The laser rocket systems investigated in this study were for orbital transportation using space-based, ground-based and airborne laser transmitters. The propulsion unit of these systems utilizes a continuous wave (CW) laser beam focused into a thrust chamber which initiates a plasma in the hydrogen propellant, thus heating the propellant and providing thrust through a suitably designed nozzle and expansion skirt. The specific impulse is limited only by the ability to adequately cool the thruster and the amount of laser energy entering the engine. The results of the study showed that, with advanced technology, laser rocket systems with either a space- or ground-based laser transmitter could reduce the national budget allocated to space transportation by 10 to 345 billion dollars over a 10-year life cycle when compared to advanced chemical propulsion systems (LO2-LH2) of equal capability. The variation in savings depends upon the projected mission model. |
| File Size | 9957420 |
| Page Count | 197 |
| File Format | |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://archive.org/details/NASA_NTRS_Archive_19790013166 |
| Archival Resource Key | ark:/13960/t54f6kt6v |
| Language | English |
| Publisher Date | 1979-03-15 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Lasers And Masers Transmitters Cost Effectiveness Laser Plasma Interactions Efficiency Mechanical Properties Orbital Maneuvers Continuous Wave Lasers Laser Applications Spacecraft Propulsion Ntrs Nasa Technical Reports Server (ntrs) Nasa Technical Reports Server Aerodynamics Aircraft Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Aeronautic Space Science |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Technical Report |
