2 Low orbit laser supply network with relay mirrors In the previous network each laser acts independently. To improve system efficiency and redundancy, and to avoid sun eclipses, relay mirrors can be used as shown in Figure 2, the different lasers being interconnected. In this case the power generated from several lasers is directed successively towards several relay mirror satellites. These relay mirrors select a part of the beam and direct it via pointing optics towards all space object which need power. It is worth noting that for LEO receivers the dimensions of the laser beam receiving panels are smaller than equivalent solar panels. Indeed not only can the irradiance of a focused laser beam be much greater that the one given by solar irradiance but the power conversion effiency is greater when appropriate monochromatic laser wavelengths are used. We can therefore predict that the braking effect related to the LEO receiving satellite is generally smaller than that for conventional satellites. In addition the receiving panels’ weight is reduced.
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