Micropropulsion using a Nd:YAG microchip laser

David A. Gonzales; Robert P. Baker

doi:10.1117/12.482145

13 September 2002 Micropropulsion using a Nd:YAG microchip laser

David A. Gonzales, Robert P. Baker

Proceedings Volume 4760, High-Power Laser Ablation IV; (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.482145
Event: International Symposium on High-Power Laser Ablation 2002, 2002, Taos, New Mexico, United States

Abstract

Small, lightweight, low power solid state and semiconductor lasers are enabling the development of a new class of thruster systems for micro- and nanosatellites. These devices generate thrust by laser ablation of a solid propellant using on-board lasers and permit small satellites to perform maneuvers such as orbit maintenance, precision pointing, and formation flying. In this work we present a concept for micropropulsion called the microchip laser thruster (MLT) that is based on laser ablation by a passively Q-switched Nd:YAG microchip laser. The microchip laser enables on-board ablation by sub-ns, high peak power, high repetition rate Gaussian pulses. A propellant feed concept is proposed that consists of a cylindrically shaped solid propellant and a single drive motor. Based on measurements of single pulse laser ablation in aluminum, copper and indium targets, we find that aluminum provides the best overall thrust and specific impulse (I_sp). Specifically, for a MLT system employing a 10 μJ/pulse, 10 kHz, 1064 nm microchip laser and Al propellant, we report the following system parameters: thrust range equals 0.5 μN - 5 μN, I_sp equals 4900 s, system mass equals 455 g, and maximum required power equals 6.5 W. Atomic force and scanning electron microscope images of craters formed by single and multi-pulse ablation are shown to provide insight into effective propellant feed mechanism designs.

Citation Download Citation

David A. Gonzales and Robert P. Baker "Micropropulsion using a Nd:YAG microchip laser", Proc. SPIE 4760, High-Power Laser Ablation IV, (13 September 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.482145

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