Page:Project Longshot - Advanced Design Program Project Report.pdf/68

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Laser-Pumped Light Sail


 * Assumptions:


 * 1) 100% of laser is focused onto the sail continuously for one year.
 * 2) the solar energy to pressure ratio holds true for the specific laser used.


 * At 1 A.U.:


 * 1353 watts/square meter from the sun
 * and
 * 4.6E-6 N/square meter from the sun


 * therefore,


 * 2.94E8 watts/N.


 * Payload Mass = 30,000 kg
 * Delta V required = 13500 km/sec
 * Time interval = 31,472,262 sec (1 year)


 * Therefore,


 * Required acceleration = .429 m/sec squared
 * and
 * The force required = 1268.8 N


 * So that with a laser operating at 100% efficiency
 * Required power = 3.78E12 watts