Laser-supported detonation waves and pulsed laser propulsion
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550 (United States)
A laser thermal rocket uses the energy of a large remote laser, possibly ground-based, to heat an inert propellant and generate thrust. Use of a pulsed laser allows the design of extremely simple thrusters with very high performance compared to chemical rockets. The temperatures, pressures, and fluxes involved in such thrusters (10{sup 4} K, 10{sup 2} atmospheres, 10{sup 7} w/cm{sup 2}) typically result in the creation of laser-supported detonation (LSD) waves. The thrust cycle thus involves a complex set of transient shock phenomena, including laser-surface interactions in the ignition of the LSD wave, laser-plasma interactions in the LSD wave itself, and high-temperature nonequilibrium chemistry behind the LSD wave. The SDIO Laser Propulsion Program is investigating these phenomena as part of an overall effort to develop the technology for a low-cost Earth-to-orbit laser launch system. We will summarize the Program's approach to developing a high performance thruster, the double-pulse planar thruster, and present an overview of some results obtained to date, along with a discussion of the many research question still outstanding in this area.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 7049219
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-890756--
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States), Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States) Vol. 208:1; ISSN 0094-243X; ISSN APCPC
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Pulsed laser propulsion for low cost, high volume launch to orbit
Ground-to-orbit laser propulsion: Advanced applications
Related Subjects
330000* -- Advanced Propulsion Systems
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700350 -- Plasma Production
Heating
Current Drive
& Interactions-- (1992-)
DETONATION WAVES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
LASER RADIATION
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
PLASMA
PROPELLANTS
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
RADIATIONS
SHOCK WAVES
SPACE VEHICLES
THRUSTERS
VEHICLES