LASER-POWERED PROPULSION SYSTEM

Abstract

A laser-powered propulsion system 100 for interplanetary spacecraft comprises a laser transmitter 101, an advanced laser beam shaping system 102, a high-efficiency photovoltaic array 103, a power conditioning unit 104, an electric propulsion system 105, a thermal management system 106, a propellant management system 107, an adaptive propulsion control system 108, and a scalable propulsion system architecture 109. Spacecraft capabilities maximize the efficiency of transmission, conversion, and utilization of laser energy in propulsion, thus improving specific impulse, and fuel efficiency, and minimizing spacecraft mass. The important features include adaptive optics 201, multi-junction photovoltaic cells 301, advanced ion engines 501, phase change materials 602, and predictive modeling 802 for optimizing the system; architecture scalable allows flexibility to accommodate many mission profiles. This innovation enhances the capabilities of interplanetary spacecraft by keeping them flying longer-duration missions and carrying larger payloads to function more effectively in space exploration.

Specification

Description:A laser-powered propulsion system 100 for interplanetary spacecraft comprises a laser transmitter 101, an advanced laser beam shaping system 102, a high-efficiency photovoltaic array 103, a power conditioning unit 104, an electric propulsion system 105, a thermal management system 106, a propellant management system 107, an adaptive propulsion control system 108, and a scalable propulsion system architecture 109. Spacecraft capabilities maximize the efficiency of transmission, conversion, and utilization of laser energy in propulsion, thus improving specific impulse, and fuel efficiency, and minimizing spacecraft mass. The important features include adaptive optics 201, multi-junction photovoltaic cells 301, advanced ion engines 501, phase change materials 602, and predictive modeling 802 for optimizing the system; architecture scalable allows flexibility to accommodate many mission profiles. This innovation enhances the capabilities of interplanetary spacecraft by keeping them flying longer-duration missions and carrying larger payloads to function more effectively in space exploration. , Claims:1. A laser-powered propulsion system for interplanetary spacecraft, comprising:
? a laser transmitter 101 configured to emit a high-power laser beam;
? an advanced laser beam shaping system 102 for optimizing the laser beam characteristics;
? a high-efficiency photovoltaic array 103 for converting laser energy into electrical power;
? a power conditioning unit 104 for processing and distributing electrical energy;
? an electric propulsion system 105 for generating thrust;
? a thermal management system 106 for regulating component temperatures;
? a propellant management system 107 for storing and delivering propellant;
? an adaptive propulsion control system 108 for optimizing propulsion parameters; and
? a scalable propulsion system architecture 109 for modular system design and adaptation.

2. The laser-powered propulsion system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the advanced laser beam shaping system 102 comprises:
? adaptive optics 201 for correcting wavefront distortions;
? a beam expander 202 for reducing beam divergence;
? phase front control 203 for pre-compensating anticipated distortions;
? wavelength stabilization 204 for maintaining optimal photovoltaic conversion efficiency; and
? beam profiling 205 for ensuring uniform energy distribution.

3. The laser-powered propulsion system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the high-efficiency photovoltaic array 103 comprises:
? multi-junction cells 301 optimized for the laser wavelength;
? concentrator optics 302 for focusing incoming laser light;
? spectral filtering 303 for rejecting unwanted wavelengths;
? an active cooling system 304 for maintaining optimal cell temperature; and
? a modular design 305 for scalability and adaptability.

4. The laser-powered propulsion system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power conditioning unit 104 comprises:
? maximum power point tracking 401 for optimal energy extraction;
? voltage regulation 402 for stable power output;
? energy storage 403 for managing power during reduced laser illumination;
? power distribution 404 for prioritizing critical systems; and
? fault detection and isolation 405 for ensuring system reliability.

5. The laser-powered propulsion system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electric propulsion system 105 comprises:
? an advanced ion engine 501 with improved electron optics;
? a Hall effect thruster option 502 with enhanced magnetic field topology;
? a hollow cathode assembly 503 for electron production and beam neutralization;
? propellant flow control 504 for optimal propellant utilization; and
? thrust vectoring 505 for attitude control and trajectory corrections.

6. The laser-powered propulsion system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermal management system 106 comprises:
? an advanced heat pipe network 601 for efficient heat transfer;
? phase change materials 602 for managing peak thermal loads;
? an active louver system 603 for regulating heat rejection;
? multi-layer insulation 604 for minimizing radiative heat transfer; and
? thermoelectric coolers 605 for precision temperature control.

7. The laser-powered propulsion system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the propellant management system 107 comprises:
? high-pressure storage tanks 701 for efficient propellant storage;
? a pressure regulation system 702 for consistent propellant flow;
? flow sensing and control 703 for accurate propellant delivery;
? propellant purification 704 for maintaining propellant purity; and
? a leak detection system 705 for monitoring propellant integrity.

8. The laser-powered propulsion system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adaptive propulsion control system 108 comprises:
? real-time performance monitoring 801 of key propulsion parameters;
? predictive modeling 802 for anticipating future propulsion needs;
? thrust profile optimization 803 for efficient propellant utilization;
? power management integration 804 for optimizing energy utilization; and
? fault detection and mitigation 805 for maintaining system performance.

9. The laser-powered propulsion system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scalable propulsion system architecture 109 comprises:
? modular thruster arrays 901 for meeting specific mission requirements;
? reconfigurable power distribution 902 for adapting to different configurations;
? scalable thermal management 903 for accommodating various system sizes;
? adaptable propellant storage 904 for different mission durations; and
? standardized interfaces 905 for easy integration and reconfiguration.

10. A method of operating the laser-powered propulsion system of claim 1, comprising the steps of:
? transmitting a high-power laser beam from the laser transmitter 101;
? shaping and optimizing the laser beam using the advanced laser beam shaping system 102;
? converting the received laser energy into electrical power using the high-efficiency photovoltaic array 103;
? conditioning and distributing the electrical power using the power conditioning unit 104;
? generating thrust using the electric propulsion system 105;
? managing thermal loads using the thermal management system 106;
? supplying propellant using the propellant management system 107;
? optimizing propulsion parameters using the adaptive propulsion control system 108; and
? adapting the system configuration using the scalable propulsion system architecture

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