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Accession Number:
AD1026489
Title:
Basic Research Investigations into Multimode Laser and EM Launchers for Affordable, Rapid Access to Space (Volumes 1 and 2)
Descriptive Note:
Technical Report,01 Jun 2005,31 Aug 2010
Corporate Author:
RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INST TROY NY TROY United States
Report Date:
2010-08-31
Pagination or Media Count:
76.0
Abstract:
This basic research effort on pulsed air breathingrocket laser propulsion, investigates the physics of laser energy deposition into stationary and hypersonic working fluids, inclusive of electrical breakdown, ignition of laser-supported detonation waves LSD, and blast wave propagation over thruster impulse generating surfaces. The future application of AFOSR interest for this basic research endeavor is the laser launch of nano- and micro-satellites i.e., 1-100 kg payloads into Low Earth Orbit LEO, at low cost and on-demand. The present dual-pronged, combined experimentalnumerical research campaigns centered on both static and hypersonic experiments with representative 2D and 3D laser-thruster geometries, using the Lumonics TEA-622 -200J. -100ns and K922M 20-40J, -100ns C02 lasers. Laser scramjet experiments were performed in the T3 tunnel at the Henry T. Nagamatsu Laboratory of Aerothermodynamics and Hypersonics HTNLAH. Time-dependent surface pressure distributions were measured over thrust-generating surfaces following laser energy deposition delivered impulse and momentum coupling coefficients Cm were obtained Schlieren movies of the impulse generation process were recorded with a high-speed Cardin digital camera. to study 1he laser breakdown blast wave expansion process. and evolving flow field structures in both stationary and hypersonic flow. Time-resolved visualizations of inlet and absorption chamber flow fields, enabled qualitative analysis of dominant phenomena impacting laser-propulsion physics.
Distribution Statement:
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
