Proposal of Liquid Cannon Target Driven by Fiber Laser for Micro-Thruster in Satellite

Abstract

We propose a new concept controlling a satellite by a fiber laser loaded in it and demonstrated the acceleration of pendulum with 7kW/2n and 2kHz fiber laser, and measured the Cm of 16Ns/MJ corresponding to the scaling of YAG laser. This laser can be easily bundled to generate much larger power. For more efficient acceleration, we propose "metal-free water cannon target", the new concept of propulsion using only water. The momentum coupling coefficient of 2500[Ns/MJ] was achieved with vacuum pump oil instead of water, and we succeeded in controlling the driving direction by the system based on the new concept. This can be used for thrusting a satellite and controlling its posture in combination with fiber lasers.

Proposal of laser-driven automobile

“…Although the water is transparent to near infra-red and visible lasers, high intensity laser can induce breakdown ofwater ifthe laser is focused inside the water as in Fig.4. We call this system "metal-free water cannon" [13] and succeeded to gain the thrust comparable to metal target covered by water. The maximum coupling coefficient was 2444.4N.sIMJ, which is comparable to 3536. iN.…”

Laser Ablation Propulsion Tractor Beam System

“…Remote torque production and tractor-beam-like propulsion of a free-floating water-born target were demonstrated using a water propellant. Laser propulsion studies that used liquid propellant, such as [7,8], often exhibited a low specific impulse; however, at least one study [9] already demonstrated operation in a vacuum with exhaust velocities of 5 km=s by exhaust confinement and preheating of the propellant.…”

“…One study of remote control by laser ablation propulsion was conducted by the Yabe group [7,8], which researched a bulk liquid propellant laser propulsion thruster, the metal-free water cannon. Remote torque production and tractor-beam-like propulsion of a free-floating water-born target were demonstrated using a water propellant.…”