Laser Propulsion in Space
Fundamentals, Technology, and Future Missions
- 1st Edition - June 4, 2024
- Editor: Claude Phipps
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 1 5 9 0 3 - 9
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 1 5 9 0 2 - 2
Space launches have evoked the same vivid image for decades: bright orange flames exploding beneath a rocket as it lifts off and thunders into the sky. An alternative acceleration… Read more
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Request a sales quoteSpace launches have evoked the same vivid image for decades: bright orange flames exploding beneath a rocket as it lifts off and thunders into the sky. An alternative acceleration system could reshape that vision forever, with rockets leaving their energy source on the ground... or in space.
Laser Propulsion in Space: Fundamentals, Technology, and Future Missions takes readers on a comprehensive journey from the theoretical overview of propulsion fundamentals, to reviews of current projects involving high-power CW fiber lasers and energetic mm-wave sources with their ongoing and potential end-use applications in beamed energy propulsion (BEP). Written by experts in the field, this mathematically sound reference text also highlights graphical solutions of equations’ results, as well as case studies with worked-out examples, making this book an invaluable compendium for students, researchers, technology developers and futurists in understanding the promise and challenges of this emerging technology.
Laser Propulsion in Space: Fundamentals, Technology, and Future Missions takes readers on a comprehensive journey from the theoretical overview of propulsion fundamentals, to reviews of current projects involving high-power CW fiber lasers and energetic mm-wave sources with their ongoing and potential end-use applications in beamed energy propulsion (BEP). Written by experts in the field, this mathematically sound reference text also highlights graphical solutions of equations’ results, as well as case studies with worked-out examples, making this book an invaluable compendium for students, researchers, technology developers and futurists in understanding the promise and challenges of this emerging technology.
- Covers beamed energy propulsion advances
- Highlights state-of-the-art BEP applications of LEO debris removal, suborbital and orbital launch, solar system exploration, and interstellar lightsail probes, as well as advances in related photon source technologies and infrastructures
- Includes opinion sections explaining why we as a technical society should care about each chapter’s topic and the considerably good outcomes that can be achieved with laser engines
- Is accompanied by a website with video clips and other ancillary materials to enhance insight
Masters and PhD students as well as post-doc researchers in advanced programs or highly specialized qualification courses related to aerospace engineering, aerospace and aviation technology, aerospace traffic management, space and planetary science, optics and lasers, optical communications engineering, physics, and astronomy.
- Cover image
- Title page
- Table of Contents
- Copyright
- Contributors
- Preface
- Overview
- Synthesis
- 1: Basic theory of laser propulsion
- Abstract
- 1.1. Introduction
- 1.2. Theory of laser ablation propulsion
- 1.3. Fluence (energy density on the target)
- 1.4. Pulse duration
- 1.5. Diffraction limits
- 1.6. There are several optima for Cm
- 1.7. Calculating coupling coefficients for a flight
- 1.8. Photon propulsion
- 1.9. Beamed energy propulsion
- 1.10. Comparing laser-driven and electric thrusters
- 1.11. Performance of electric and laser propulsion engines
- 1.12. Thermal coupling
- 1.13. Pulsed vs. CW photon propulsion
- 1.14. Ground-based vs. space-based laser ranging
- 1.15. Applications of laser ablation propulsion
- 1.16. Laser launching to LEO
- 1.17. Challenges
- 1.18. The future of laser space propulsion
- 1.19. Other applications of the Starshot laser
- 1.20. Conclusions
- References
- 2: Breakthrough Starshot program overview
- Abstract
- 2.1. Life in the universe
- 2.2. Origins of the Breakthrough Initiatives
- 2.3. Breakthrough Starshot
- 2.4. Designing a photon engine
- 2.5. Hierarchical optical phased arrays
- 2.6. Atmospheric correction
- 2.7. The cost perspective
- References
- 3: Starshot system model
- Abstract
- 3.1. Relativistic theory of pure photon propulsion
- 3.2. Cost vs. performance
- 3.3. What will be required
- 3.4. Possibility of human travel to the stars
- References
- 4: Space situational awareness: the potential role of lasers in long-term sustainability of space operations
- Abstract
- 4.1. Introduction
- 4.2. Number of objects in orbit
- 4.3. Feared events
- 4.4. Kessler syndrome
- 4.5. Potential actions
- 4.6. Cataloging orbital objects thanks to laser ranging
- 4.7. Deorbiting debris in low Earth orbit
- 4.8. Debris nudging in low Earth orbit and large debris traffic management
- 4.9. Reorbiting large debris in GEO
- 4.10. Synthesis
- 5: State of the art in high-power lasers
- Abstract
- 5.1. Introduction
- 5.2. High-power CW lasers
- 5.3. Fiber lasers
- 5.4. High-power pulsed lasers
- 5.5. Beam combining
- References
- 6: High-power laser engines
- Abstract
- 6.0. Preface
- 6.1. Physical basics of laser propulsion
- 6.2. Pulsejet and ramjet laser propulsion
- 6.3. Laser ablation propulsion (LAP)
- 6.4. Laser thermal propulsion (LTP)
- 6.5. Some examples of improving the thrust characteristics of laser engines
- 6.6. Optical design of space vehicles with high-power laser engines
- 6.7. Conclusion
- Glossary
- References
- Auxiliary references
- 7: Large-scale directed energy
- Abstract
- Acknowledgements
- 7.1. Introduction
- 7.2. Two modes of operation for propulsion – direct drive mode vs indirect drive mode
- 7.3. A roadmap to the future
- 7.4. Directed energy approaches – DDM
- 7.5. Phased-array laser
- 7.6. Modularity and scalability
- 7.7. Low-mass DDM cases
- 7.8. Avatar example – human missions including landing – facts are inconvenient truths
- 7.9. Stopping is useful
- 7.10. Avatar – ISV Venture Star analysis
- 7.11. Economics considerations
- 7.12. Indirect drive mode for high-mass missions in our solar system
- 7.13. Ground vs space deployment
- 7.14. Limitation of ground-based array deployment
- 7.15. Polar deployment
- 7.16. Space-based deployment options
- 7.17. Conclusions
- References
- 8: The ways to improve momentum and kinetic efficiency of laser propulsion
- Abstract
- 8.1. Introduction
- 8.2. An overview of the ways to improve
- 8.3. Dimensionless dependencies
- 8.4. Conclusions
- References
- 9: Laser-driven, In-Tube Accelerator (LITA)
- Abstract
- 9.1. Introduction
- 9.2. Experimental demonstrations
- References
- 10: Fly by light – demos and prizes
- Abstract
- Acronyms used in this chapter
- Acknowledgements
- 10.1. Foreword
- 10.2. Introduction (by Gregg Maryniak, XPRIZE Foundation)
- 10.3. LightPod racing venue
- 10.4. Beam-powered UAV case studies: lessons learned
- 10.5. LightPod racer conceptual design
- 10.6. Near-term competition ideas
- 10.7. Audacious competition ideas
- 10.8. Appendix A: Twelve beam-powered UAV case studies
- 10.9. Appendix B: Prize concept brief for zero carbon flight—LightPod racing venues
- 10.10. Appendix C: Preliminary conceptual design of a 100 MW suborbital launch array
- References
- 11: The dual-use dilemma and high-energy systems in space
- Abstract
- 11.1. Introduction
- 11.2. The dual-use dilemma and high-energy systems in space
- 11.3. Governance options of high-power systems
- 11.4. The next steps toward enabling the installation of high-energy systems in and toward space
- 11.5. Conclusion
- References
- Index
- No. of pages: 414
- Language: English
- Edition: 1
- Published: June 4, 2024
- Imprint: Elsevier
- Paperback ISBN: 9780443159039
- eBook ISBN: 9780443159022
CP
Claude Phipps
Claude Phipps earned B.S./M.S. degrees at MIT and a PhD at Stanford in 1972 for the first laser-plasma interaction experiment. At Los Alamos from 1992 to 1995, he facilitated peaceful applications of lab technology as Associate Director of the Alliance for Photonic Technology, was project leader for the Laser Effects Program, and developed a general theory for predicting pulsed laser pressure on surfaces in vacuum. In 1995, he founded Photonic Associates to develop laser space propulsion. He invented the ORION and L’ADROIT concepts for laser space debris re-entry and collaborated with CNES to develop the Just-in-time Collision Avoidance principle. He has authored 145 scientific journal publications on laser applications and material interactions and 168 conference presentations. He chaired the ‘High Power Laser Ablation’ conferences in Santa Fe from 1998 to 2024. He is the author or contributor to three books on laser interaction and a popular science book titled No Wonder You Wonder (Springer, 2016).
Affiliations and expertise
Managing Partner, Photonic Associates, LLC, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA.Read Laser Propulsion in Space on ScienceDirect