The press release is much clearer. http://www.osa.org/en-us/about_osa/newsroom/news_releases/2014/supersonic_laser-propelled_rockets/ http://www.osa.org/en-us/

The press release is much clearer. http://www.osa.org/en-us/about_osa/newsroom/news_releases/2014/supersonic_laser-propelled_rockets/ http://www.osa.org/en-us/about_osa/newsroom/news_releases/20... I haven't read the paper, but it appears they're proposing to use the ablative lasers only to shape the flow of supersonic gas through a thruster nozzle.