NASA NTRS · 19730032409
Propulsion by impinging laser beams.
Abstract
Evaluation of the best mission performance of a 'photon sail' system using an impinging laser beam. The results of calculations of nondimensional time history of distance, velocity, and acceleration for propulsion by laser beam reflection are presented. These calculations show that propulsion by impinging laser beams is not competitive with advanced onboard propulsion concepts for missions in the solar system.
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Moeckel, W. E.. 1972-12-01. Propulsion by impinging laser beams.. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19730032409
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.