Laser thermal propulsion

Laser sustained plasmas (LSP) have been proposed as a means of converting beamed energy from a remotely located laser to provide efficient propulsion for orbital transfer. Successful implementation of this concept requires that the detailed energy conversion processes that control plasma stability and fractional energy absorption within the LSP be thoroughly understood. An experimental study of these mechanisms is being conducted using argon plasmas sustained by a continuous wave carbon dioxide laser in a controlled, forced convection flow. Detailed measurements of the plasma temperature field are obtained using digital images of the plasma continuum radiation within a narrow spectral wavelength band. Using the measured temperature field, the interaction among the absorbed laser power, thermal conduction, and thermal radiative transfer can be calculated at each point within the plasma.