Laser Lightcraft Nanosatellites

This Defense Intelligence Reference Document, dated November 1, 2010, provides a comprehensive technical overview of 'Laser Lightcraft Nanosatellites.' The document explores the feasibility of using high-energy, ground-based laser systems to propel small, lightweight spacecraft (nanosatellites and picosatellites) into low Earth orbit (LEO). The core concept involves a 'Lightcraft' vehicle that utilizes a laser beam to heat ambient air for propulsion during the atmospheric phase and then transitions to laser-thermal rocket mode once in space. The report details the history of the Lightcraft Technology Demonstration Program, noting successful tests conducted by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the U.S. Army at the White Sands Missile Range. The document evaluates various laser technologies, including multi-megawatt CO2 lasers, bulk slab solid-state lasers (BSSSL), high-power fiber lasers (HPFL), and free-electron lasers (FEL). It provides detailed cost analyses, suggesting that laser-propelled launch systems could reduce costs by two to three orders of magnitude compared to traditional chemical rockets. Beyond launch capabilities, the document discusses the potential for 'swarms' of coherently cooperating nanosatellites to form large, distributed apertures for radio frequency collection, high-resolution radiometry, and hyperspectral sensing. While the report investigates potential military applications, such as ballistic missile defense, it concludes that the most promising use for the technology is as a low-cost launch vehicle for small satellites. The document includes extensive technical schematics, cost summaries, and references to previous studies by researchers such as H. D. Froning and Leik Myrabo.