Polymers Used as Fuel for Laser Plasma Thrusters in Small Satellites

Abstract

This report results from a contract tasking Paul Scherrer Institut as follows: The contractor will investigate those properties of promising polymers which influence the performance of Laser Plasma Thrusters LPTs). Preliminary data show that the properties of the ablated polymer have a strong effect on the achievable specific impulse. Among the issues to be investigated are choice of substrate and adhesion of the polymer to the substrate influence of dopants to increase optical absorption and thickness of the polymer layer.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 30, 2003
Accession Number
ADA424397

Entities

People

  • Thomas Lippert

Organizations

  • Paul Scherrer Institute

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Absorption
  • Absorption Coefficients
  • Air Force
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Contracts
  • Emission Spectra
  • Emission Spectroscopy
  • Geometry
  • Laser Diodes
  • Measurement
  • Polymeric Films
  • Polymers
  • Small Satellites
  • Specific Impulse
  • Spectra
  • Spectroscopy
  • Thickness

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Polymer Science and Technology
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster