Fig. 4. System configuration of LAPS onboard the SS. (a) Schematic figure of the system, (b) Block diagram of the system. System Performance Considering the beam transport characteristics and the thruster dynamics, we propose the LAPS with a performance shown in Table 1. In this table, a CO2 laser is chosen, because of its capability for large power generation, although the laser beam with shorter wave length is desirable for a larger transmission range. As for the radius of the transmitter and the receiver for the laser beam, we assume the beam transmission range as about 50 km. The subsatellite can move around in the region having the distance 50 km from the SS. The temperature at the absorption chamber and the mass flow rate of the fuel are assumed to 1.8xlO5°K and 3.1 X10-5 kg/s, respectively. As for a propellant, a conventional fuel is employed, considering the case that LAPS does not work well. Since a conventional fuel has a greater molecular mass, and gives a lower Isp, much research is necessary for the future.
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