Propulsive Impulse Measurement of a Microwave-Boosted Vehicle in the Atmosphere

Nakagawa, Tatsuo*; Mihara, Yorichika*; Komurasaki, Kimiya*; Takahashi, Koji; Sakamoto, Keishi; Imai, Tsuyoshi

Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 41(1), p.151 - 153, 2004/02

https://doi.org/10.2514/1.2540

A launching experiment of a microwave-boosted vehicle model was carried out using the 110GHz, 1MW gyrotoron and a propulsive inpulse to lift up the vehicle was measured. The rf power and pulse was 1MW and 0.175 0.8msec. The launching mechanism is as follows. Plasma is produced in the nozzle of the vehicle model when the rf beam is injected toward it. The plasma heated by the rf beam can produce a shock wave that gives a propulsive impulse to the vehicle. Maximum momentum coupling coefficient from the impulse to the vehicle is 395N/MW which is comparable to that of a laser boosted vehicle. The rf pulse was 0.175msec. The coupling coefficient is limitted by the gyrtron operation in pulse length and can increase if the pulse length is shorter than 0.175msec.