This book gives an in-depth analysis of the physical phenomena of thrust production by laser radiation, as well as laser propulsion engines, and laser-propelled vehicles. It brings together into a unified context accumulated up-to-date information on laser propulsion research, considering propulsion phenomena, laser propulsion techniques, design of vehicles with laser propulsion engines, and high-power laser systems to provide movement for space vehicles. In particular, the reader will find detailed coverage of: designs of laser propulsion engines, operating as both air-breathing and ramjet engines to launch vehicles into LEOs; Assembly of vehicles whereby laser power from a remote laser is collected and directed into a propulsion engine; and, the laser-adaptive systems that control a laser beam to propel vehicles into orbits by delivering laser power through the Earth's atmosphere. This book is essential reading for researchers and professionals involved in laser propulsion.
Yu. A. Rezunkov is a leading scientist of the Scientific Research Institute for Optoelectronic Instrument Engineering (NII OEP JSC) in Sosnovy Bor (Russia). He graduated from Leningrad Polytechnic Institute (now Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University) with a diploma in aerodynamics and thermodynamics in 1974. In 1977 he earned a PhD degree and joined NII OEP JSC. Yu. A. Rezunkov has published a number of papers on various scientific subjects, including propagation of high-power laser radiation in the Earths atmosphere, development of laser lightning protection systems, phase conjugation techniques to compensate for the laser beam wavefront distortions as well as development of the high-peak power picosecond CO2 lasers. Special attention in his papers has been paid to the development of the laser propulsion theory and applied techniques. The laser ablation propulsion based on the CHO-polymers was the subject of his Doctor of Science thesis, successfully defended in 2006.
Preface 10
Acknowledgments 14
Chapter 1. A Brief History of Laser Propulsion
1.1 Introduction 15
1.2 Main Stages of Laser-Propulsion Developments 17
1.3 Physical Processes Underlying Laser Propulsion 31
1.4 General Concepts of Laser Propulsion 40
1.5 Original concepts of high-power laser propulsion 52
1.6 References 59
Chapter 2. Basic Gas-dynamic Theories of the Laser Air-breathing
and Rocket Propulsion
2.1 Introduction 63
2.2 Gas-dynamic Theory of Laser Propulsion 66
2.3 Physics of Laser Plasma Ignited in Gases as Applied to Laser
Propulsion 83
2.4 Numerical Calculations of Non-stationary and Non-isentropic
Gas Flows as Applied to Laser Propulsion 102
2.5 References 114
Chapter 3. Laser Ablation of Solid Materials, Laser-ablation
Propulsion
3.1 Introduction 117
3.2 Physical Phenomena Underlying of Laser Ablation Propulsion 119
3.3 Effects of Solid Target Structure on Laser Ablation Propulsion 129
8 Yuri A. Rezunkov
3.4 Laser-ablation Propulsion Based on Ablation of High-energy
Polymers 136
3.5 Semi-empirical Models of Laser-ablation Propulsion Based on
CHO-polymers 146
3.6 Efficiency f he aosetr-abLlation ropulsiPon ased Bn HOo-poClymers 154
3.7 References 157
Chapter 4. Aerospace Laser Propulsion Engine
4.1 Introduction 160
4.2 The Aerospace Laser Propulsion Engine Conception 161
4.3 ASLPE Thrust Characteristics in a Pulsed Mode of Operation 177
4.4 Adaptation of ASLPE for Continuous Wave (CW) Laser Propulsion 183
4.5 Analysis of Available Technologies as Applied to ASLPE
Development and its Engineering Constraints 190
4.6 Preliminary Conclusion 197
4.7 References 198
Chapter 5. Supersonic Laser Propulsion
5.1 Introduction 201
5.2 Lightcraft Engineering Version Adapted to the Pulsejet Supersonic
Laser Propulsion 203
5.3 Physical Phenomena Going with Ramjet Supersonic Laser
Propulsion 214
5.4 Merging of Individual Shock Waves Into a Auasi-stationary
Integrated Shock Wave 219
5. 5 Supersonic Laser Ablation Propulsion 222
5.6 Conclusion 238
5.7 References 239
Chapter 6. Space Mini-vehicles with Laser Propulsion
6.1 Introduction to the Problem 242
6.2 Scenario of the SMV Orbital Maneuvers 246
6.3 Space Debris Removal out of Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO)
by Using Laser-propelled Space Mini-vehicles 258
6.4 Onboard Laser Propulsion System as Applied to SMV 264
High-Power Laser Propulsion 9
6.5 Brief Outcome 274
6.6 References 275
Chapter 7. Laser Power Transfer to Space Vehicles with Laser
Propulsion
7.1 Introduction into the Problem 277
7.2 Models of the Aerosols and Gases Attenuation, Absorption, and
Scattering of Laser Radiation in the Upper Atmosphere 279
7.3 Self-empirical Models of the Upper Atmosphere Turbulence 287
7.4 Phase and Intensity Profiles of the Laser Beam that Passed
through a Turbulent Atmosphere 295
7.5 Basic tmospAheric ffects EimitingL eliveryD f he oirbtorneA aser L
Power to Space Vehicle 298
7.6 Adaptive Laser Systems for the High-power Laser Propulsion 305
7.7 References 320
Conclusion 324
List of Acronyms 327
