Feasibility for the Orbital Launch by Pulse Laser Propulsion

Abstract

An air-breathing pulse laser powered launcher has been proposed as an alternative to conventional chemical launch systems. The trajectory from the ground to Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) by pulse laser propulsion is calculated by modeling the thrust during pulsejet, ramjet and rocket flight modes, and the launch cost is estimated. The results show that the pulse laser powered launcher can transfer 0.096 kg payload per 1 MW beam power to GEO, and 2,800 divisional launches of a payload are necessary to redeem the cost of its laser transmitter compared with conventional chemical launchers.