Laser Lightcraft

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Laser Lightcraft
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Laser Lightcraft

• Laser propelled rocket
• 4 Main Components
• Carbon-dioxide laser
• Parabolic mirror
• Absorption chamber
• Onboard hydrogen

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How It Works

• Spin vehicle to 10,000 rpm
• Cycle laser (25-28 cps)
• In absorption chamber parabolic underside focuses
  converts air into plasma

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How It Works

• May use some laser energy to heat air in front of
  vehicle to reduce drag
• In the upper atmosphere where there is little
  air, may use hydrogen for fuel

Launch
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Results

• Vehicle -12.2 cm diameter, 50 grams
• Laser 10 kw
• July 1999
• 128 ft
• October 2000
• 233 ft
• 2001
• Plans for 500 ft

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Future

• 100 kw laser for sub-orbital trajectories
• (50-100 km)
• 1 megawatt laser for 1 kg micro-satellite in LOE

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Significance

• Single-stage to orbit
• Zero to little fuel required aboard to get
  vehicle in orbit

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Pro / Cons

• Single stage to orbit
• Do not have to carry large source of energy
  aboard vehicle
• Expensive part of operation remains on Earth
• Little to no debris
• Very inexpensive !

• Laser can damage other satellites/ vehicles in
  path
• Small payload
• 1-10 kg
• Limited orbits

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Relevancy

• Reduces cost to launch small satellites by 3
  orders of magnitude
• 38,000,000 contemporary rocket
• 46,000 laser lightcraft

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To Find Out More

• www.space.com/businesstechnology/
  laser_propulsion_00705.html
• www.howstuffworks.com/light-propulsion1.htm
• www.lightcrafttechnologies.com/ newsletter.html

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Questions?