2022 Volume 7 Pages 1-5
Microwave Rocket is a space transportation system that uses millimeter-wave energy oscillated from gyrotrons on the ground to generate thrust. A gyrotron with a frequency of 94 GHz, output power of 600 kW, and pulse duration of 100 μs has been developed at the University of Tokyo for millimeter-wave discharge experiments. The gyrotron tube axis was aligned with magnetic field axis and the oscillation output was improved by a factor of about three. The oscillation output was estimated to be 26.31 kW, and the energy conversion efficiency was 4.1%. However, considering that the theoretical efficiency is about 17%, further study is needed for optimization of the axis position and the oscillation output measurement method.
