Topic: Modular Laser Launch Architecture: Analysis and Beam Module Design

[Nemesis]

The modular laser launcher is a new concept for laser launch in which the laser source consists of a large number ? hundreds or thousands ? of self-contained, ground-based ?beam modules,? each of which transmits a relatively small amount of power to a laser-powered rocket vehicle.

Actually I believe that Jerry Pournelle used this is one of his sci-fi novels (Birth of Fire?) in the 1960's or 1970's, so calling it a new concept is inaccurate.

[Stormbringer]

Cool.

[Just plain old Punisher]

The problem would be that light doesn't really combine...so multiple lasers combining into one focal point (LIke the death star on SW) isn't actually possible.

[Stormbringer]

The problem would be that light doesn't really combine...so multiple lasers combining into one focal point (LIke the death star on SW) isn't actually possible.

It don't have to (the lasers don't need to be in phase or remain perfectly coherent at the terminus.). but you are mistaken. the ABL combines lasers into a more powerful beam albeit on the generating end. Also another recent technology breakthrough; the new LED fiberoptic lasers can combine millions of weak beams int o a single weapon grade beam. Combining beams is tricky but the phase cancellation and divergence and other associated problems have been solved.

[Just plain old Punisher]

Perhaps we're approaching this from different angles....I tend to believe one large laser is better than multiple smaller ones. I understand that modern chemical lasers use adaptive optics to refocus the energy, but I'm of the opinion that multiple ground stations firing at one point isn't the way to go.

What do you think?>

[Brush Wolf]

For this purpose It really doesn't matter if it is one large beam or many smaller ones. All that is being done is pile photons of light up on the target to propel it. I will agree that if you are trying to cut through or damage a target then a single beam is what you want.

[Nemesis]

Perhaps we're approaching this from different angles....I tend to believe one large laser is better than multiple smaller ones. I understand that modern chemical lasers use adaptive optics to refocus the energy, but I'm of the opinion that multiple ground stations firing at one point isn't the way to go.

What do you think?>

Off hand I can think of three reasons for multiple lasers instead of one.

1/ The technology for a laser launch with one laser is still in the future.

2/ Redundancy.  If one laser fails the payload keeps going.

3/ Flexibility.  If you use one laser per launch you must standardize payloads more.  If you use a variable number you can size payloads for any number of lasers from 1 to the maximum.  This allows efficient launch of small payloads or even using the same system to simultaneously launch multiple small payloads to different orbits or combine to launch one big one.

[jualdeaux]

I think that there could be a couple of benefits to having multiple smaller beams. First, the machines themsevles would be smaller and probably easier to make and maintain. The other benefits is if one of them fails, it would only be a small part of the total output beam. While if you only have one large laser, if it would go down, you would be screwed.

You just beat me to it Nem.