4 ms·
Way more than that. The numbers for photon rockets come out at about 300 MW/N. So to lift one kilogram against earth's gravity you need about three gigawatts.
by david-given 11y ago
Way more than that. The numbers for photon rockets come out at about 300 MW/N. So to lift one kilogram against earth's gravity you need about three gigawatts.
This is why people generally prefer to use the energy to accelerate reaction mass instead of just generating photons.
- randallsquared 11y agoUsually "laser launch" means using a ground-based laser to heat propellant on the rocket. These seem entirely different from photonic rockets to me, but the wiki article on laser propulsion lists them as two examples. Confusion has ensued. :)