Yoshinari Minami
Advanced Science-Technology Research Organization
Japan
Title: Conceptual Design of Manned Space Transportation Vehicle Using Laser Thruster in Combination with H-II Rocket
Biography
Biography: Yoshinari Minami
Abstract
This paper describes the conceptual design of Manned Space Transportation Vehicle (MSTV) using laser thruster in combination with H-II rocket. By combined use of laser thruster and H-II rocket, space trip to International Space Station (ISS) or round trip around the moon can be performed. Once MSTV with one crew boarding is put into circular orbit in an altitude of 200 km around the Earth, parking orbit by H-II rocket, MSTV is put into circular orbit in an altitude of 400 km, ISS orbit from 200 km circular orbit by laser thruster. Laser thruster using water propellant, power source for laser, orbital transfer calculations to ISS or moon and so on was examined. MSTV using laser thruster that carries laser source and power supply was investigated. Due to the latest developments of high power Laser Diode (LD) and fuel cell, a laser space vehicle that carries both laser device and power supply on board is found to be feasible. Laser vehicle is no longer constrained by a ground-based laser system. MSTV is launched with H-II rocket and put into circular orbit in an altitude of 200 km. After then, MSTV is put into circular orbit in an altitude of 400 km, ISS orbit from 200 km circular orbit by laser thruster. MSTV equipped with the above-mentioned laser engine system will fly from the space platform, ISS and the space hotel on the Earth orbit to the moon.