P4_2 Beam Me Up

Authors

  • Suzanne Thomas University of Leicester
  • David Starkey University of Leicester
  • Declan Roberts University of Leicester
  • James Nelms University of Leicester

Abstract

The effects of sending a laser powered platform to low Earth orbit are investigated. We consider the effects of drag, attenuation by the atmosphere and divergence of the laser beam. It is found that a 1000kg platform could be accelerated to an altitude of 200km using an average laser power of 1.8 terawatts; however it is unfeasible to extend this argument to a much more massive space shuttle sized object.

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Published

11/26/2012

How to Cite

Thomas, S., Starkey, D., Roberts, D., & Nelms, J. (2012). P4_2 Beam Me Up. Physics Special Topics, 11(1). Retrieved from https://journals.le.ac.uk/index.php/pst/article/view/2082

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2012)

Section

Articles