3 ms·
One method of laser propulsion is using the laser to ablate a metal reaction mass. Since metal is much denser than water, and is converted into plasma, a much s
by quarterto 12y ago
One method of laser propulsion is using the laser to ablate a metal reaction mass. Since metal is much denser than water, and is converted into plasma, a much smaller reaction mass can be used. This method has a specific impulse of about 5000s, an order of magnitude higher than chemical rockets.
- danielweber 12y agoThat would be useful for station-keeping for the ISS. I don't think NASA would let you point a laser strong enough to ablate metal at their station, though.
- Retric 12y agoRocket exhaust is normally plasma. Also, density is not really much of an issue unless it's really low. Rockets use liquid hydrogen which is normally ~1/14th the density of water. The important bit is mass not density.