Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
8055645 | Acta Astronautica | 2018 | 5 Pages |
Abstract
Experiments using a 1â¯MW-class gyrotron were conducted to examine a beamed energy propulsion rocket, a microwave rocket with a beam concentrator for long-distance wireless power feeding. The incident beam is transmitted from a beam transmission mirror system. The beam transmission mirror system expands the incident beam diameter to 240â¯mm to extend the Rayleigh length. The beam concentrator receives the beam and guides it into a 56-mm-diameter cylindrical thruster tube. Plasma ignition and ionization front propagation in the thruster were observed through an acrylic window using a fast-framing camera. Atmospheric air was used as a propellant. Thrust generation was achieved with the beam concentrator. The maximum thrust impulse was estimated as 71â¯mNâ¯s/pulse from a pressure history at the thrust wall at the input energy of 638â¯J/pulse. The corresponding momentum coupling coefficient, Cm was inferred as 204â¯N/MW.
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Physical Sciences and Engineering
Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Authors
Masafumi Fukunari, Toshikazu Yamaguchi, Yusuke Nakamura, Kimiya Komurasaki, Yasuhisa Oda, Ken Kajiwara, Koji Takahashi, Keishi Sakamoto,