10-4. Beamed Laser Power for Advanced Space Missions E. J. CONWAY & R. J. DE YOUNG Summary Advanced civil space missions may benefit substantially from beamed laser power. Recent advances in solar-pumped lasers and electrically driven diode lasers are discussed. Two laser-beamed power applications, for an advanced space station and in support of a high power lunar base, are summarized. 1. Introduction The civil space missions under consideration by NASA for the end of this century and the beginning of the next range from Space Station Freedom, providing a permanent human presence in space, to manned bases on the Moon and Mars. To bring such missions to reality will require a concerted propulsion effort. However, once the missions have been launched, the critical need will be for plentiful, flexible, reliable electric power for life support, for communications, and for performing assigned activities. Only the Sun and nuclear reactors can perform as primary, long-life power sources in space. There will be a need for each. However, with the anticipated variety of space exploration, science, and industrial missions, is it best for each to carry its own primary power source, or could some missions benefit by receiving beamed power from a remote power station? Decisions will be based on cost, flexibility, reliability, and the ability to provide for growth of power needs. A technology which offers all these characteristics, laser power transmission, is in its infancy. A large, high-average-power laser station or several lower-power stations could provide the plentiful power anticipated for 21st century missions. Powered directly by sunlight or indirectly by solar- or nuclear-generated electricity, the laser would be located either in orbit or on the planetary surface to support evolving mission power needs. Only a few laser types and designs appear to offer the reliability required. These include direct solar-pumped lasers which involve the simplest conversion of sunlight to beamed laser power and electrically driven solid-state laser diodes which are benefiting from commercial applications and rapid industrial development. This paper discusses recent technology developments relating to laser power generation and two potential applications for laser power transmission. E. J. Conway and R. J. De Young, NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23665-5225, USA. Paper number IAF-ICOSP89-10-4.
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