Laser Micro Thruster using Metallic Propellants

2013 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24656523
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Aerospace engineering
• Research Institution: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
• Principal Investigator: FUNAKI Ikkoh 独立行政法人宇宙航空研究開発機構, 宇宙科学研究所, 准教授 (50311171)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): HORISAWA Hideyuki 東海大学, 工学部, 教授 (30256169)
• Research Collaborator: OSHIO Yuya 総合研究, 大学院大学物理科学研究科 ; HIGASHIURA Kohsuke 法政大学, 大学院理工学研究科
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2014-03-31
• Keywords: 推進・エンジン / レーザーマイクロスラスタ / 宇宙機の高精度姿勢制御

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Experimental study of laser micro-thruster was conducted. Targeting at laser thruster without any valve to supply propellant, metal as well as liquid metal propellants were employed and it was tested by a system consisting of a propellant target and a thrust stand mounting the propellant target, both of which were installed inside a vacuum chamber. When infrared laser beam was irradiated from outside the vacuum chamber, the propellant was found to released as a jet. From the result, the concept of laser micro-thruster with variable thrust level was demonstrated.

Free Research Field

工学