An experimental study of laser-supported plasmas for laser propulsion: Center director's discretionary fund project DFP-82-33
Abstract
The rudiments of a rocket thruster, which receives its enthalpy from an energy source which is remotely beamed from a laser, is described. An experimental study, now partially complete, is discussed which will eventually provide a detailed understanding of the physics for assessing the feasibility of using hydrogen plasmas for accepting and converting this energy to enthalpy. A plasma ignition scheme which uses a pulsed CO2 laser was develped and the properites of the ignition spark documented, including breakdown intensities in hydrogen. A complete diagnostic system capable of determining plasma temperature and the plasma absorptivitiy for subsequent steady-state absorption of a high power CO2 laser beam are developed and demonstrative use is discussed for the preliminary case study, a two atmosphere laser supported argon plasma.
- Publication:
-
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Report
- Pub Date:
- January 1987
- Bibcode:
- 1987msfc.rept.....E
- Keywords:
-
- Hydrogen Plasma;
- Laser Plasma Interactions;
- Laser Propulsion;
- Plasma Propulsion;
- Rocket Engines;
- Argon Plasma;
- Carbon Dioxide Lasers;
- Continuous Wave Lasers;
- Electric Discharges;
- Ignition;
- Plasma Temperature;
- Reaction Kinetics;
- Steady State;
- Plasma Physics