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PHOTONIC LASER PROPULSION.

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Photonic Laser Propulsion offers a thrilling glimpse into the future of rapid mass space transportation by surveying one of the most significant breakthrough technologies to overcome the limitations of current propulsion systems based on conventional rocketry.Written by the pioneer of photonic laser...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: BAE, YOUNG K.
Corporate Author: ScienceDirect (Online service)
Format: eBook
Language:English
Published: Amsterdam : ELSEVIER, 2025.
Series:Elsevier aerospace engineering series.
Subjects:
Propulsion systems.
Lasers in astronautics.
Systèmes de propulsion.
Lasers en astronautique.
Electronic books.
Online Access:Connect to the full text of this electronic book
Table of Contents:
  • Front Cover
  • Photonic Laser Propulsion
  • Copyright Page
  • Dedication
  • Contents
  • About the author
  • Foreword
  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • I. Background
  • 1 Introduction
  • 1.1 Overview of space transportation
  • 1.2 The imperative for advanced propulsion technologies
  • 1.3 Photonic laser propulsion: a comprehensive overview
  • 1.4 Organization and scope of the book
  • 1.5 AI disclosure
  • References
  • 2 Surmounting the fundamental constraints of the rocket equation
  • List of symbols
  • 2.1 Fundamental constraints of the rocket equation
  • 2.1.1 Energy transformation efficiency
  • 2.1.2 Specific thrust
  • 2.1.3 Universal specific impulse
  • 2.2 Antimatter rockets
  • 2.2.1 Positron propulsion
  • 2.2.2 Antiproton propulsion
  • 2.3 Photon rockets
  • 2.4 Non-rocket propulsions with photons
  • 2.4.1 Solar sail
  • 2.4.2 Beamed laser propulsion
  • 2.4.3 StarShot initiative
  • 2.4.4 Recycling laser propulsion
  • 2.5 AI disclosure
  • Reference
  • 3 Amplified radiation pressure
  • List of symbols
  • 3.1 The role of pressure in rocket thrusters
  • 3.2 Radiation pressure amplification and applications
  • 3.3 Photon-thrust amplification with a passive optical cavity
  • 3.4 Photon-thrust amplification with an active optical cavity
  • 3.5 AI disclosure
  • References
  • II. Fundamentals and technology details
  • 4 Fundamentals of photonic laser propulsion
  • List of symbols
  • 4.1 Modified passive cavity approximation
  • 4.2 Dynamical resonant frequency shift
  • 4.3 Optodynamics
  • 4.4 Diffraction and laser beam divergence
  • 4.5 Maximum achievable spacecraft velocities
  • 4.6 Optical and mechanical properties of PLP mirrors
  • 4.7 Thermodynamics of PLP mirrors
  • 4.8 Propellant requirements for powering station stationkeeping
  • 4.9 AI disclosure
  • References
  • 5 Quantum aspect of photonic laser propulsion
  • List of symbols.
  • 5.1 Momentum of photons
  • 5.2 "Rest mass" of photons in optical resonators
  • 5.3 Quantization of photons in optical resonators
  • 5.4 Quantum mechanical diffraction in optical resonators
  • 5.5 Quantum electronical effects on PLP performance
  • 5.6 AI disclosure
  • References
  • III. Applications and future missions
  • 6 Photonic laser thruster
  • List of symbols
  • 6.1 Methods I: discovery of photonic laser thruster
  • Abstract
  • 6.1.1 Introduction
  • 6.1.2 Methods and apparatus
  • 6.1.3 Data analysis and results
  • 6.1.4 Discussion and evaluation
  • 6.1.5 Conclusions
  • 6.2 Methods II: scaling-up demonstration of photonic laser thruster
  • Abstract
  • 6.2.1 Introduction
  • 6.2.2 Methods and apparatus
  • 6.2.3 Data analysis and results
  • 6.2.4 Discussion and evaluation
  • 6.2.5 Conclusions
  • 6.3 Methods III: propulsion demonstration with photonic laser thruster
  • Abstract
  • 6.3.1 Introduction
  • 6.3.2 Methods and apparatus
  • 6.3.3 Data analysis and results
  • 6.3.4 Discussion and evaluation
  • 6.3.5 Conclusions
  • 6.4 Case study I: photon tether formation flying architecture
  • Abstract
  • 6.4.1 Objective
  • 6.4.2 Scope
  • 6.4.3 Audience
  • 6.4.4 Rationale
  • 6.4.5 Expected results and deliverables
  • 6.4.6 Simulations and analyses
  • 6.4.7 Challenges and solutions
  • 6.4.8 Results
  • 6.4.9 Learning and knowledge outcomes
  • 6.5 Case study II: photonic laser thruster-enabled innovative spacecraft maneuvering
  • Abstract
  • 6.5.1 Objective
  • 6.5.2 Scope
  • 6.5.3 Audience
  • 6.5.4 Rationale
  • 6.5.5 Expected results and deliverables
  • 6.5.6 Simulations and analyses
  • 6.5.6.1 Out-of-plane formation flying in Earth orbits
  • 6.5.6.2 Propellantless GEO satellite stationkeeping with PLT
  • 6.5.6.3 Other examples of PLT spacecraft maneuvering
  • 6.5.7 Challenges and solutions
  • 6.5.8 Results
  • 6.5.9 Learning and knowledge outcomes.
  • 6.6 Case study III: PLT surface transportation systems in atmosphere-free environments
  • Abstract
  • 6.6.1 Objective
  • 6.6.2 Scope
  • 6.6.3 Audience
  • 6.6.4 Rationale
  • 6.6.5 Expected results and deliverables
  • 6.6.6 Simulations and deliverables
  • 6.6.6.1 PLT lunar surface transportation
  • 6.6.6.2 PLT lunar surface-to-orbit transportation
  • 6.6.7 Challenges and solutions
  • 6.6.8 Results
  • 6.6.9 Learning and knowledge outcomes
  • 6.7 AI disclosure
  • References
  • 7 Photonic railway
  • List of symbols
  • 7.1 Case study IV: photonic railway developmental milestone I with Vmax=10 km/s
  • Abstract
  • 7.1.1 Objective
  • 7.1.2 Scope
  • 7.1.3 Audience
  • 7.1.4 Rationale
  • 7.1.5 Expected results and deliverables
  • 7.1.6 Simulations and analyses
  • 7.1.7 Challenges and solutions
  • 7.1.8 Results
  • 7.1.9 Learning and knowledge outcomes
  • 7.2 Case study V: photonic railway developmental milestone II with Vmax=100 km/s
  • Abstract
  • 7.2.1 Objective
  • 7.2.2 Scope
  • 7.2.3 Audience
  • 7.2.4 Rationale
  • 7.2.5 Expected results and deliverables
  • 7.2.6 Simulations and analyses
  • 7.2.7 Challenges and solutions
  • 7.2.8 Results
  • 7.2.9 Learning and knowledge outcomes
  • 7.3 Case study VI: photonic railway developmental milestone III with Vmax=1000 km/s
  • Abstract
  • 7.3.1 Objective
  • 7.3.2 Scope
  • 7.3.3 Audience
  • 7.3.4 Rationale
  • 7.3.5 Expected results and deliverables
  • 7.3.6 Simulations and analyses
  • 7.3.7 Challenges and solutions
  • 7.3.8 Results
  • 7.3.9 Learning and knowledge outcomes
  • 7.4 Discussions and conclusions
  • 7.5 AI disclosure
  • References
  • 8 The future
  • List of symbols
  • 8.1 Case study VII: cislunar photonic railways
  • Abstract
  • 8.1.1 Objective
  • 8.1.2 Scope
  • 8.1.3 Audience
  • 8.1.4 Rational
  • 8.1.5 Expected results and deliverables
  • 8.1.6 Simulations and analyses
  • 8.1.7 Challenges and solutions.
  • 8.1.8 Results
  • 8.1.9 Learning and knowledge outcomes
  • 8.2 Case study VIII: interplanetary photonic railways
  • Abstract
  • 8.2.1 Objective
  • 8.2.2 Scope
  • 8.2.3 Audience
  • 8.2.4 Rationale
  • 8.2.5 Expected results and deliverables
  • 8.2.6 Simulations and analyses
  • 8.2.6.1 Earth-Mars Photonic Railway
  • 8.2.6.2 Asteroid-Belt Photonic Railway
  • 8.2.7 Challenges and solutions
  • 8.2.8 Results
  • 8.2.9 Learning and knowledge outcomes
  • 8.3 Case study IX: interstellar probes with photonic railways
  • Abstract
  • 8.3.1 Objective
  • 8.3.2 Scope
  • 8.3.3 Audience
  • 8.3.4 Rationale
  • 8.3.5 Expected results and deliverables
  • 8.3.6 Simulations and analyses
  • 8.3.6.1 Transitioning from photonic laser propulsion to beamed laser propulsion for achieving relativistic speeds
  • 8.3.6.2 Interstellar Photonic Railway probes
  • 8.3.7 Challenges and solutions
  • 8.3.8 Results
  • 8.3.9 Learning and knowledge outcomes
  • 8.4 Crew-capable interstellar photonic railway
  • 8.4.1 Near Earth phase
  • 8.4.2 Cislunar phase
  • 8.4.3 Interplanetary phase
  • 8.4.4 Interstellar phase
  • 8.5 Reduction of required pump laser power
  • 8.6 Discussions
  • 8.7 Conclusions
  • 8.8 AI disclosure
  • References
  • Index
  • Back Cover.