An Experimental study on high power millimeter wave beam transmission for microwave beaming propulsion

Oda, Yasuhisa; Yamaguchi, Toshikazu*; Komurasaki, Kimiya*; Kajiwara, Ken; Takahashi, Koji; Sakamoto, Keishi

Microwave Rocket is an application of atmospheric discharge in a high-power millimeter-wave (MMW) beam. Microwave Rocket is expected to be a low-cost launch to orbit system. To launch Microwave Rocket, the long distance MMW beam transmission is an important technology. Because the space-radiated beam with small beam waist expanded and its power density decreases even with short distance transmission, it is hard to provide MMW power to Microwave Rocket. Thereby the beam launcher for beam transmission is necessary to optimize the beam profile. In this study, a 10 m distance beam transmission system for a sliding thruster was designed and tested. Transmission system with the quasi-optical beam launcher and focusing mirror system enabled the thruster to obtain a straight beam of which power density is high enough for plasma ignition after long range transmission.