Benefit of Constant Momentum Propulsion for Large Delta V Missions -- Applications in Laser Propulsion

Abstract

The authors 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. They compare constant momentum propulsion 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. They also describe findings of more than 50% efficiency for conversion of laser energy into jet kinetic energy by ablation of solids.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2004
Accession Number
ADA526728

Entities

People

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

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Ablation
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Conversion
  • Earth Orbits
  • Efficiency
  • Energy
  • Energy Transfer
  • Equations
  • Kinetic Energy
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Microsecond Time
  • Momentum
  • Payload
  • Propellants
  • Specific Impulse
  • Standards
  • Thrust

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Fluid Dynamics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy