Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

In terms of the required energy and cost, reaching Earth orbit from the ground continues to be a fundamental obstacle hampering the use of space and its exploration at large. A strategic approach to overcoming this obstacle and making access to space affordable, both for orbital use and deep space exploration, is proposed and substantiated.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta-v_budget (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

Henry

. The Decision Maker's Guide to Robust, Reliable and Inexpensive Access to Space. Montgomery AL: Air University Press, 2003.

Boeing, General Dynamics, LockheedMartin, Marietta, McDonnell Douglas, Rockwell. Commercial Space Transportation Study. Hampton VA: NASA Langley Research Center, 1994.

www.islandone.org/Propulsion/Lsrprp1.gif (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

Phipps

, Michaelis

. LISP: Laser impulse space propulsion. Proc Las Part Beams. 1994; 12(1):23–54.

Phipps

, Luke

, Helgeson

. 3ks Specific Impulse with a ns-pulse Laser Microthruster. Proc 29th Int Electric Propulsion Conf., 2005; Paper 319.

Phipps

, Bohn

, Lippert

, Sasoh

, Schall

, Sinko

. A review of laser ablation propulsion. AIP Proc. 2010; 1278:710–22.

Owano

. Ion space drive is said to break fuel efficiency record. TechXplore. September 25, 2015. https://techxplore.com/news/2015-09-ion-space-fuel-efficiency.html (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

Parkin

. The Microwave Thermal Thruster and Its Application to the Launch Problem (Ph.D. dissertation). Pasadena CA: CalTech, 2006.

10.

Phipps

, Reilly

, Campbell

. Optimum parameters for laser launching objects into low Earth orbit. Laser Part Beams. 2000; 18(4):661–95.

11.

Eckel

H-A

, Schall

. Concept for a laser propulsion based nanosat launch system. AIP Proc. 2004; 702:263–73.

12.

Scharring

, Eckel

H-A

. Review On Laser Lightcraft Research At DLR Stuttgart. Stuttgart DE: ITP DLR, 2013.

13.

Rezunkov

, et al. Performance Characteristics of Laser Propulsion Engine Operating both in CW and in Repetitively-Pulsed Modes. AIP Proc. 2006; 830:3–13.

14.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrust-to-weight_ratio (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

15.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Payload_fraction (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

16.

Larson

, Mead

, Knecht

. Benefit of Constant Momentum Propulsion for Large ΔV Missions–Applications in Laser Propulsion. AIAA 2004-0649. 42nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit 5–8 January 2004, Reno, Nevada.

17.

Bain

. Potential of Laser for SPS Power Transmission. Springfield VA: NTIS US DOC, 1978.

18.

Manning

. Beamed-Energy Propulsion (BEP): Considerations for Beaming High Energy-Density Electromagnetic Waves Through the Atmosphere. NASA STI Program Report. Glenn Research Center. Cleveland, Ohio, May 2015.

19.

Ageichik

, Repina

, Rezunkov

, Safronov

. Detonation of CHO-propellants in a laser propulsion engine. J Tech Phys. 2009; 54(3):402–9.

20.

Larson

, Mead

, Knecht

. Laser propulsion and the constant momentum mission. AIP Proc. 2004; 702:216–28.

21.

Smith

et al. Atmospheric Propagation of Radiation (The Infrared & Electro-Optical Systems Handbook). Bellingham WA: SPIE Optical Engineering Press, 1993.

22.

Measures

. Laser Remote Sensing. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1984.

23.

Schall

, Eckel

H-A

. Pulsed laser propulsion experiments. Space Technol. 2004; 24:129–35.

24.

Phipps

, et al. Review: Laser-ablation propulsion. J Propul Power. 2010; 26(4):609–37.

25.

Meyer

. Supersonic laser-propelled rockets. OSA.org. 29 Oct. 2014. www.osa.org/en-us/about_osa/newsroom/news_releases/2014/supersonic_laser-propelled_rockets/ (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

26.

Rezunkov

, Schmidt

. Supersonic laser propulsion. Appl Opt. 2014; 53(31):11–18.

27.

Hunt

. Laser-propelled missiles–finally an environmentally friendly mode of space exploration. SiliconRepublic., 30, Oct. 2014. https://www.siliconrepublic.com/innovation/laser-propelled-missiles-finally-an-environmentally-friendly-mode-of-space-exploration (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

28.

Pigulevski

. Laser propulsion market-creating innovation. New Space. 2016; 4:123–128.

29.

Hecht

. Beam combining cranks up the power. LaserFocusWorld. June 1, 2012. www.laserfocusworld.com/articles/print/volume-48/issue-06/features/beam-combining-cranks-up-the-power.html (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

30.

Wallace

. 100 kW fiber laser, power meter serve industry. LaserFocusWorld. Dec 06, 2013. www.laserfocusworld.com/articles/print/volume-49/issue-12/world-news/materials-processing-100-kw-fiber-laser-power-meter-serve-industry.html (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

31.

Technology Readiness Levels Handbook for Space Applications. European Union: ESA Document TEC-SHS/5551/MG/ap, 2008. https://artes.esa.int/sites/default/files/TRL_Handbook.pdf (Last accessed on March 19, 2017).

32.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_margin (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

33.

A European Comparison of Electricity and Gas Prices for Large Industrial Consumers. Brussels BE: PwC Ent Adv, 2016.

34.

European electricity prices and their components. Berlin DE: Ecofys Germany, 2013.

35.

www.spacex.com/about/capabilities (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

36.

www.zmescience.com/space/spacex-reusable-rocket-100-times-cheaper-0432423 (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

37.

Jurist

, Dinkin

, Livingston

. When physics, economics, and reality collide: The Challenge of Cheap Orbital Access. AIAA Space Forum Proc. 2005. http://colonyfund.com/Reading/papers/phys_econ_2_leo.pdf (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

38.

Henry

. Rocket Lab declares Electron ready for test flights. Space News. December 13, 2016. http://spacenews.com/rocket-lab-declares-electron-ready-for-test-flights (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

39.

Coopersmith

, Davis

. A Strategic Roadmap for Commercializing Low-Cost Beamed Energy Propulsion Launch Systems. AIAA Space Conf Proc. 2016:5555. http://arc.aiaa.org/doi/abs/10.2514/6.2016-5555 (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

40.

State of the Satellite Industry Report. Alexandria VA: Tauri Group, 2016. www.sia.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/SSIR-September-2014-Update.pdf (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

41.

Writers

. New small launch vehicles. Space Daily. April 26, 2016. www.spacedaily.com/reports/New_small_launch_vehicles_999.html (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

42.

Myrabo

, Ing

. The Future of Flight. New York: Baen Books-Simon and Schuster, 1985.

43.

Davis

, Mead

Jr.

Review of laser lightcraft propulsion system. AIP Conf Proc., 2008; 977:283–94.

44.

www.alibaba.com/showroom/pom-sheet-price-of-delrin-per-kg.html (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

45.

www.nesta.org.uk/crafting-better-space-industry-policy (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

46.

George

, Beach

. Beamed-Energy Propulsion (BEP) Study. NASA/TM—2012-217014. Cleveland OH: Glenn Research Center, 2012.

47.

Rezunkov

. Laser technologies for space. Laser-Inform. 2012; 22(493):1–6. (in Russian).

48.

Kare

. Pulsed laser propulsion for low cost, high volume launch to orbit. Space Power J. 1990; 9:1–6.

49.

//image.gsfc.nasa.gov/poetry/magnetism/magnetism.html (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

50.

Wertz

. Economic Model of Reusable vs. Expendable Launch Vehicles. Rio de Janeiro: IAF Congress Proc., 2000.

51.

Buchen

, Pasquale

. Nano/Microsatellite Market Assessment. Atlanta GA: SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc., 2014.

52.

Pagliery

. Billionaires battle for the Internet in space. CNN Money. January 21, 2015. money.cnn.com/2015/01/21/technology/internet-in-space/index.html (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

53.

Henry

. OneWeb gets $1.2 billion in SoftBank-led investment. Space News. December 19, 2016. http://spacenews.com/oneweb-gets-1-2-billion-in-softbank-led-investment (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

54.

Taylor

. Space manufacturing and the last mile. Space News. December 28, 2016. http://spacenews.com/space-manufacturing-and-the-last-mile (Last accessed on March 5, 2017).

Optimizing Access to Space: Ground-to-Orbit Logistics Framework (GOLF)

Abstract

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References