Fission-activated laser as primary power for CW laser propulsion
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Recent advances in the development of reactor-pumped lasers (RPL`s) have stimulated renewed interest in the concept of laser-powered propulsion. This paper surveys a number of laser propulsion concepts and identifies the one that is most promising from the standpoint of practicality. It is proposed that a ground-based FALCON (Fission-Activated Laser CONcept) RPL can provide primary power for this launch vehicle design. The laser-vehicle system could launch small payloads into low-earth orbit (LEO) with high repetition rates and at low costs per kilogram. For the favored design, thruster efficiencies are currently estimated to be about 500%, with 800% being seen as a potentially realizable goal after further design refinements. Laser launch system simulations indicate that, with a buy-in laser power of 10 MW, it will be possible to obtain specific impulses in the range of 600 to 800 seconds and payload-to-power ratios of 1 to 3 kg/MW.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 51895
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-940142-; ISBN 0-8194-1414-X; TRN: IM9524%%365
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: OE/LASE `94: conference on optics, electro-optics, and laser applications in science and engineering, Los Angeles, CA (United States), 22-29 Jan 1994; Other Information: PBD: 1994; Related Information: Is Part Of Laser power beaming. SPIE Volume 2121; Walker, J.V.; Montgomery, E.E. IV [eds.]; PB: 318 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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