Experimental characterization of the thrust induced by laser ablation on an asteroid

Gibbings, Alison and Vasile, Massimiliano and Hopkins, John-Mark and Burns, David and Watson, Ian A. (2013) Experimental characterization of the thrust induced by laser ablation on an asteroid. In: IAA Planetary Defense Conference, 2013-04-15 - 2013-05-19.

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    Abstract

    This paper presents an improved laser ablation model and compares the performance – Δv and mass efficiency - of laser ablation against contactless deflection methods based on ion-propulsion. The deflection of an asteroid through laser ablation is achieved by illuminating the surface of the asteroid with a high intensity laser light. The absorbed energy induces the sublimation of the surface material and the generation of a plume of gas and ejecta. Similar to a rocket engine, the flow of expelled material produces a continuous and controllable thrust that could be used to modify the trajectory and tumbling motion of the asteroid. Recent results gained from a series of laser ablation experiments were used to improve the sublimation and deflection models. In each experiment a terrestrial olivine sample was ablated, under vacuum, with a 90 W continuous wave laser. The outcomes of the experimental campaign have enabled the mathematic model, and its defining assumptions to be evaluated and updated

    Author(s):Gibbings, Alison, Vasile, Massimiliano ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8302-6465, Hopkins, John-Mark, Burns, David and Watson, Ian A.
    Item type:Conference or Workshop Item(Paper)
    ID code:43732
    Keywords:experimental characterization, thrust induced, laser ablation, asteroid, Mechanical engineering and machinery, Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Control and Systems Engineering
    Subjects:Technology > Mechanical engineering and machinery
    Technology > Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics
    Department:Faculty of Engineering > Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
    Faculty of Science > Physics > Institute of Photonics
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:07 May 2013 13:19
    Last modified:08 Jan 2020 19:45
    Related URLs:
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/43732
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