High Power Laser Propulsion

<p>Preface 10</p>

<p>Acknowledgments 14</p>

<p>Chapter 1. A Brief History of Laser Propulsion</p>

<p>1.1 Introduction 15</p>

<p>1.2 Main Stages of Laser-Propulsion Developments 17</p>

<p>1.3 Physical Processes Underlying Laser Propulsion 31</p>

<p>1.4 General Concepts of Laser Propulsion 40</p>

<p>1.5 Original concepts of high-power laser propulsion 52</p>

<p>1.6 References 59</p>

<p>Chapter 2. Basic Gas-dynamic Theories of the Laser Air-breathing</p>

<p>and Rocket Propulsion</p>

<p>2.1 Introduction 63</p>

<p>2.2 Gas-dynamic Theory of Laser Propulsion 66</p>

<p>2.3 Physics of Laser Plasma Ignited in Gases as Applied to Laser</p>

<p>Propulsion 83</p>

<p>2.4 Numerical Calculations of Non-stationary and Non-isentropic</p>

<p>Gas Flows as Applied to Laser Propulsion 102</p>

<p>2.5 References 114</p>

<p>Chapter 3. Laser Ablation of Solid Materials, Laser-ablation</p>

<p>Propulsion</p>

<p>3.1 Introduction 117</p>

<p>3.2 Physical Phenomena Underlying of Laser Ablation Propulsion 119</p>

<p>3.3 Effects of Solid Target Structure on Laser Ablation Propulsion 129</p>

<p>8 Yuri A. Rezunkov</p>

<p>3.4 Laser-ablation Propulsion Based on Ablation of High-energy</p>

<p>Polymers 136</p>

<p>3.5 Semi-empirical Models of Laser-ablation Propulsion Based on</p>

<p>CHO-polymers 146</p>

<p>3.6 Efficiency f he aosetr-abLlation ropulsiPon ased Bn HOo-poClymers 154</p>

<p>3.7 References 157</p>

<p>Chapter 4. Aerospace Laser Propulsion Engine</p>

<p>4.1 Introduction 160</p>

<p>4.2 The Aerospace Laser Propulsion Engine Conception 161</p>

<p>4.3 ASLPE Thrust Characteristics in a Pulsed Mode of Operation 177</p>

<p>4.4 Adaptation of ASLPE for Continuous Wave (CW) Laser Propulsion 183</p>

<p>4.5 Analysis of Available Technologies as Applied to ASLPE</p>

<p>Development and its Engineering Constraints 190</p>

<p>4.6 Preliminary Conclusion 197</p>

<p>4.7 References 198</p>

<p>Chapter 5. Supersonic Laser Propulsion</p>

<p>5.1 Introduction 201</p>

<p>5.2 Lightcraft Engineering Version Adapted to the Pulsejet Supersonic</p>

<p>Laser Propulsion 203</p>

<p>5.3 Physical Phenomena Going with Ramjet Supersonic Laser</p>

<p>Propulsion 214</p>

<p>5.4 Merging of Individual Shock Waves Into a Auasi-stationary</p>

<p>Integrated Shock Wave 219</p>

<p>5. 5 Supersonic Laser Ablation Propulsion 222</p>

<p>5.6 Conclusion 238</p>

<p>5.7 References 239</p>

<p>Chapter 6. Space Mini-vehicles with Laser Propulsion</p>

<p>6.1 Introduction to the Problem 242</p>

<p>6.2 Scenario of the SMV Orbital Maneuvers 246</p>

<p>6.3 Space Debris Removal out of Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO)</p>

<p>by Using Laser-propelled Space Mini-vehicles 258</p>

<p>6.4 Onboard Laser Propulsion System as Applied to SMV 264</p>

<p>High-Power Laser Propulsion 9</p>

<p>6.5 Brief Outcome 274</p>

<p>6.6 References 275</p>

<p>Chapter 7. Laser Power Transfer to Space Vehicles with Laser</p>

<p>Propulsion</p>

<p>7.1 Introduction into the Problem 277</p>

<p>7.2 Models of the Aerosols and Gases Attenuation, Absorption, and</p>

<p>Scattering of Laser Radiation in the Upper Atmosphere 279</p>

<p>7.3 Self-empirical Models of the Upper Atmosphere Turbulence 287</p>

<p>7.4 Phase and Intensity Profiles of the Laser Beam that Passed</p>

<p>through a Turbulent Atmosphere 295</p>

<p>7.5 Basic tmospAheric ffects EimitingL eliveryD f he oirbtorneA aser L</p>

<p>Power to Space Vehicle 298</p>

<p>7.6 Adaptive Laser Systems for the High-power Laser Propulsion 305</p>

<p>7.7 References 320</p>

<p>Conclusion 324</p>

<p>List of Acronyms 327</p>