Laser-powered “Lightcraft” systems that deliver nano-satellites to LEO have been studied for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The study was built on the extensive Lightcraft laser propulsion technology already developed by theoretical and experimental work by the AFRL’s Propulsion Directorate at Edwards AFB, CA. Here we review the history and engineering-physics of the laser Lightcraft system and its propulsive performance. We will also review the effectiveness and cost of a Lightcraft vehicle powered by a high-energy laser beam. One result of this study is the significant influence of laser wavelength on the power lost during laser beam propagation through Earth’s atmosphere and in space. It was discovered that energy and power losses in the laser beam are extremely sensitive to wavelength for Earth-to-Orbit missions, and this significantly affects the amount of mass that can be placed into orbit for a given maximum amount of radiated power from a ground-based laser.
This post was published on March 9, 2018 3:44 pm
Newly obtained Secret Service records continue to shed light on the numerous biting incidents involving…
The Department of Defense (DoD) has released a set of heavily redacted emails in response…
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) response has raised new questions about a widely circulated…
In March 2024, the Department of Defense (DoD) published publicly its Report on the Historical…
In September 2024, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was filed with NASA seeking…
Background Welcome to the FBI Files on Historical Figures & Groups archive at The Black…