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>And until humans on the red planet can construct an equivalent laser array for the incoming craft to use its reflector and plasma chamber to provide reverse th

• Totof 5y ago
  In fact Duplay uses the same laser to slow down the shuttle and bring it back to low earth orbit,for the next mission, while the payload alone is released and hurtles through space to Mars. The whole acceleration and payload release takes place while well within the moon's orbit. The laser is tight enough within a narrow (relative to the Mars distance) range. If you look at the complete article, aerocapture while severe,8g, lasts during the first 2 or 3 minutes then drops to more comfortable levels. 2 or 3 minutes are survivable.
  • Totof 5y ago
    The journalist's title is a bit misleading, Duplay doesn't suggest to ride the laser to Mars, but use a thermal laser propulsion shuttle as a slingshot, releasing the accelerated payload after less than half an hour of acceleration, then while in range of the laser, do a 180°, rotate the mirror to face earth, and use the laser power to slow down the empty shuttle for the next slingshot mission