Laser Propulsion for Space Propulsion Applications

New Laser Applications for Electric Propulsion

Various applications of lasers to electric propulsion problems have previously been made, and laser techniques are potentially powerful means to address and resolve a range of current issues. Studies with sufficiently high resolution and sensitivity to reveal the fine details of velocity, density, and temperature distributions for trace species will be especially valuable. Continuous narrowband...

Imaging spectroscopy of polymer ablation plasmas for laser propulsion applications

Nasa Directions in Space Propulsion

In his National Space Policy of 1988, President Reagan committed to a goal of expanding human presence and activity in the solar system. This goal has provided the impetus for a resurgence of activity across a broad range of space technology efforts in general and for a number of propulsion technology programs in particular. Building on recommendations from several detailed studies of the U.S. ...

Laser Accelerated Plasma Propulsion System (LAPPS)

Recently conducted experiments at the University of Michigan and elsewhere have shown that ultrashort pulse (ultrafast) lasers could accelerate charged particles to relativistic speeds. For example a picosecond laser pulse with only one joule of energy can accelerate an electron to MeV energy in just a few microns distance. This takes place through the high gradient potential that manifests its...

Laser Accelerated Heavy-ion Plasma Propulsion System

The Ultrafast “Laser Accelerated Plasma Propulsion System” LAPPS makes use of lasers with very short pulse lengths to accelerate charged particles to relativistic speeds. Recent experimental data reveal that high intensity lasers are capable of producing collimated, charge-neutral proton beams containing more than 6 x 10 particles at a mean energy of 5 MeV with a total beam energy of 500J. If u...