Interstellar dust propelled by high-brightness radiation sources and the implication for laser propulsion

Robert Bingham; Barry J. Kellett; Max M. Michaelis

doi:10.1117/12.548637

20 September 2004 Interstellar dust propelled by high-brightness radiation sources and the implication for laser propulsion

Robert Bingham, Barry J. Kellett, Max M. Michaelis

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5448, High-Power Laser Ablation V; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.548637
Event: High-Power Laser Ablation, 2004, Taos, New Mexico, United States

Abstract

Active galactic nuclei, supernovae and some massive luminous stars are sources of intense radiation at all wavelengths. η Carinae is an unusual radiation source producing UV laser-like radiation. Estimates of the intensity of these sources indicate that interstellar dust clouds produced during the star's penultimate period of stability, will be strongly affected, with the possibility of some dust particles being accelerated to near relativistic velocities. Theoretical work by Bingham, Marx, McInnes, Spitzer, Tsytovich is reviewed and its applicability to photon propulsion is discussed. Photon propulsion will be the ideal propellant for nanoscale satellites.

Citation Download Citation

Robert Bingham, Barry J. Kellett, and Max M. Michaelis "Interstellar dust propelled by high-brightness radiation sources and the implication for laser propulsion", Proc. SPIE 5448, High-Power Laser Ablation V, (20 September 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.548637

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