Laser propulsion experiments with high-power pulsed CO2 laser

Abstract

Pulsed laser propulsion may turn out as a low cost alternative for the transportation of small payloads in the mass range of 1 to 10 kg to high altitudes and low Earth orbits (LEO). Using a pulsed, electron beam-sustained multi-wavelength laser with pulse energies as high as 410 J in CO2 laser gas and possible repetition rates up to 100 Hz the launch of a “Lightcraft” has been demonstrated in the laboratory. A series of single pulse impulse measurements with a pendulum has been performed to derive the impulse coupling coefficient under various conditions. Simple plasma diagnostic and fluid dynamic investigations have been carried out as well.