Questions tagged [laser]
Questions regarding devices which emit focused beams of electromagnetic energy.
7
questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
5
votes
0
answers
775
views
Breakthrough Starshot's 100 Gigawatt laser array - what's the current thinking how this might work?
In the article Breakthrough Starshot tricks out massive telescope for planet hunting there is casual mention of a "phased array of lasers in the 100GW range" that will propel a gram scale spacecraft ...
- 149k
3
votes
0
answers
103
views
Laser powered LEO launch system
Latest research on beam powered propulsion seem to focus on the microwave spectrum as it is easy to catch by the orbital vehicle. However I argue it could be way cheaper to use a solar powered laser ...
- 81
3
votes
0
answers
226
views
Why would "Breakthrough Starshot" need photon thrusters?
Found here (italics added, bold in source):
Nanocrafts are gram-scale robotic spacecrafts comprising two main parts:
StarChip: Moore’s law has allowed a dramatic decrease in the size of ...
user19132
2
votes
0
answers
82
views
How could METI laser pulses be "brighter than the Sun"?
This Astronomy online course page The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence contains the following, about half-way down:
However, in recent years, human engineers have learned how to make flashes ...
- 149k
1
vote
0
answers
52
views
Was any data actually transmitted between OSCD and ISARA in the recent CubeSat lasercom test?
Two CubeSats (the OCSD and ISARA CubeSats) recently demonstrated technology for on-orbit sat-sat laser communications. All the information I have been able to find doesn't indicate if the test ...
- 1,730
1
vote
0
answers
79
views
Could outer system probes detect lasers shone at them from earth (orbit)?
Does the Voyager spacecraft have instruments capable of detecting laser light if shone at them? New Horizons certainly does. Any other probes?
Is there any laser capable of accuracy and power enough ...
- 499
1
vote
0
answers
108
views
Could the moons of Jupiter or Saturn be heated to human-friendly temperatures?
I always loved the part in 2001 where Jupiter becomes as star.
Has anyone ever suggested placing power generating stations high in the atmosphere of gas giants, and beaming the energy to colonies on ...
- 221