ETO using ground based laser.

[barrykirk]

Many years ago I saw that expermentation was being done on the principal of pulse firing a laser into a solid rocket engine. The Engine only contained material which was vaporized by the laser providing the hot gas to expel out the back.<br /><br />I remember seeing a video where somebody tied a test rocket in a horizontal position hanging from a cable. When they fired the laser, the rocket took off at a good speed.<br /><br />Has this idea gone anywhere?<br /><br />From a practical standpoint, are there any technical reasons why this won't work?<br /><br />What kind of ISP could one expect from such a system?<br /><br />What kind of thrust?<br /><br />It seems that although rockets can do ETO, they can only just barely do it.<br /><br />Here is an analogy. If we had never invented the jet engine, could we have figured out how to go supersonic with propeller's? We will never find out, since any research on supersonic propeller research stopped with the invention of the jet engine.<br /><br />Well any case I was just wondering where the state of that research is.

 

[serak_the_preparer]

If it has gone anywhere, I'd wager the chances are good that the results are classified.

 

[barrykirk]

Actually after posting, I did some research. There is current research being done.<br /><br /><br />http://www.lpw.uah.edu/Home.html<br /><br />Seems to be the last major conference on the topic happened last year... and it happened at my Alma Mater... RPI...<br />

 

[nexium]

What do the letters ETO stand for. My guess is the thrust was punny compared to the normal thrust, Increasing the pulse rate and pulse power made normal operation likely to start. How big a solid rocket engine was this tried on and what was the normal method of igniting? Composition of solid rocket fuel has likely changed over the years, so the test would need to be repeated. Neil

 

[liquidspace2k]

http://science.howstuffworks.com/light-propulsion.htm<br /><br />Here is stuff on Light Propulsion is suppose to work and all

 

[spacefire]

hmm...I don't know how well the passengers will take to the 10,000RPM spin <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>http://asteroid-invasion.blogspot.com</p><p>http://www.solvengineer.com/asteroid-invasion.html </p><p> </p> </div>

 

[serak_the_preparer]

Some more links about lightcraft were recently posted at Re: I need 1 billion dollars (& a 4.3 Terrawatt laser) on the Space Business & Technology forum.