Laser‐driven mini‐thrusters were studied using Delrin® and PVC (Delrin® is a registered trademark of DuPont) as propellants. TEA CO2 laser (λ = 10.6 μm) was used as a driving laser. Coupling coefficients were deduced from two independent techniques: force‐time curves measured with a piezoelectric sensor and ballistic pendulum. Time‐resolved ICCD images of the expanding plasma and combustion products were analyzed in order to determine the main process that generates the thrust. The measurements were also performed in a nitrogen atmosphere in order to test the combustion effects on thrust. A pinhole transmission experiment was performed for the study of the cut‐off time when the ablation/air breakdown plasma becomes opaque to the incoming laser pulse.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Laser‐Driven Mini‐Thrusters


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    BEAMED ENERGY PROPULSION: Fourth International Symposium on Beamed Energy Propulsion ; 2005 ; Nara (Japan)


    Published in:

    AIP Conference Proceedings ; 830 , 1 ; 247-258


    Publication date :

    2006-05-02


    Size :

    12 pages





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    Laser-Driven Mini-Thrusters

    Sterling, E. / Lin, J. / Sinko, J. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2006


    Performance Prediction of CW Laser Thrusters

    Molina-Morales, P. / Komurasaki, K. / Arakawa, Y. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2000


    Laser Fluorescence Diagnostics for Arcjet Thrusters

    Keefer, D. / Air Force Office of Scientific Research | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1994



    Characterization of Laser-Electric Hybrid Thrusters

    Horisawa, H. / Kawakami, M. / Igari, A. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2004