Ablative laser propulsion, the propellants and measuring parameters: A brief review

Abstract

Keeping in view the weightage of electric propulsion over chemical propulsion, materials from metals to polymers and liquid (water) have been tested as propellants in ablative laser propulsion. This emerging propulsion technique can be widely used for aerospace applications like debris removal in the range of cm, pointing micro and nano satellites, laser micro thrusters for spacecraft attitude, and orbit control. Laser propulsion can become a less expensive alternative to chemical propulsion. In this review, we compile the work done in ablative laser propulsion and different modes of propulsion along with the efficiency of different propellants. We summarize the optimized propulsive parameters with solid propellants and liquid propellants along with the efficiencies and theories of laser thrusters with optimized specific impulses. The article provides precise developments done in the field of ablative laser propulsion and deep insights into the analysis done between the different propellants used recently in ablative laser propulsion.