Laser Propulsion and the Constant Momentum Mission

Abstract

We show that perfect propulsion requires a constant momentum mission, as a consequence of Newton's second law. Perfect propulsion occurs when the velocity of the propelled mass in the inertial frame of reference matches the velocity of the propellant jet. in the rocket frame of reference. We compare constant momentum to constant specific impulse propulsion, which, for a given specification of the mission delta V' has an optimum specific impulse that maximizes the propelled mass per unit jet kinetic energy investment We also describe findings of more than 50 % efficiency for conversion of laser energy into jet kinetic energy by ablation of solids.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2003
Accession Number
ADA417658

Entities

People

  • Carl William Larson
  • Franklin B. Mead Jr.
  • Sean D. Knecht

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Ablation
  • Absorption
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Earth Orbits
  • Energy
  • Energy Transfer
  • Equations
  • Kinetic Energy
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Microsecond Time
  • Military Research
  • Momentum
  • Orbits
  • Payload
  • Propellants
  • Specific Impulse

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Control Systems Engineering.
  • Operations Research
  • Rocket Propulsion.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy