Supersonic Laser Propulsion (IMAGE)

Optica

Supersonic Laser Propulsion

Caption

The effectiveness of current laser-propulsion techniques is limited by the instability of supersonic gas flow, caused by shock waves that "choke" the inlet of the nozzle, reducing thrust. Those effects can be reduced with the help of laser ablation, redirecting the plasma plume so that it flows close to the interior walls of a supersonic nozzle and significantly improving the overall thrust.

Credit

Y.Rezunkov/IOIE

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