Abstract

Laser reactive thrust is regarded as a promising approach for creating energy-efficient aerospace transport systems. One fundamental advantage of laser technologies for creating reactive thrust is that there is no spent rocket stage that needs to be jettisoned or returned to earth. The concept of laser thrust is based on the use of the energy of a remote laser source. A feature of the processes for forming laser thrust is that they are "switched on" under the action of intense laser radiation. The main problem in developing modern laser systems for reactive thrust is to make laser thrust energy-efficient and to ensure fuel economy.

© 2007 Optical Society of America

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