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Low Power Ground-Based Laser Illumination for Electric Propulsion ApplicationsA preliminary evaluation of low power, ground-based laser powered electric propulsion systems is presented. A review of available and near-term laser, photovoltaic, and adaptive optic systems indicates that approximately 5-kW of ground-based laser power can be delivered at an equivalent one-sun intensity to an orbit of approximately 2000 km. Laser illumination at the proper wavelength can double photovoltaic array conversion efficiencies compared to efficiencies obtained with solar illumination at the same intensity, allowing a reduction in array mass. The reduced array mass allows extra propellant to be carried with no penalty in total spacecraft mass. The extra propellant mass can extend the satellite life in orbit, allowing additional revenue to be generated. A trade study using realistic cost estimates and conservative ground station viewing capability was performed to estimate the number of communication satellites which must be illuminated to make a proliferated system of laser ground stations economically attractive. The required number of satellites is typically below that of proposed communication satellite constellations, indicating that low power ground-based laser beaming may be commercially viable. However, near-term advances in low specific mass solar arrays and high energy density batteries for LEO applications would render the ground-based laser system impracticable.
Document ID
19940019082
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Lapointe, Michael R.
(Sverdrup Technology, Inc. Brook Park, OH, United States)
Oleson, Steven R.
(Sverdrup Technology, Inc. Brook Park, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1994
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
IEPC-93-208
E-8306
NAS 1.26:194444
NASA-CR-194444
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Electric Propulsion Conference
Location: Seattle, WA
Country: United States
Start Date: September 13, 1993
End Date: September 16, 1993
Sponsors: AIAA, AIDAA, DGLR, and JSASS
Accession Number
94N23555
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 506-42-31
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS3-25266
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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