if you has some type of matter that could withstand the heat of a powerful laser, could you use it as a propulstionary device?
2006-07-05 14:33:28 · 6 answers · asked by STEVE0 THE CLOWN 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
It's already been done.
2006-07-05 14:37:00 · answer #1 · answered by Not Tellin 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
If the matter ablates-- that is, if it vaporizes at the point where the laser hits it-- the expanding gas would cause reaction. You'd have to have a VERY powerful laser, though.
Refer to Larry Niven's novel Footfall, for examples of a launcher using a ground based laser and the payload only carries fuel, not oxidizer or an ignition system.
2006-07-05 22:30:09 · answer #2 · answered by cdf-rom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are pieces of matter that can deflect or absorb the power of laser ( but only for so long). The question should be how long would that mass be able to be pushed by the laser before it is destroyed. The answer would depend one where you would like that laser to push that mass
2006-07-05 23:39:03 · answer #3 · answered by Axiom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is already being done experimentaly. A light weight metal cone has a laser shone into it from below and reacts by shooting upwards. In theory this could be scaled up to push cargo into orbit.
2006-07-05 21:37:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's already been done (but on a small scale), NASA is hoping to use it to launch space vehicles and the military to launch satlittes
2006-07-05 23:47:29 · answer #5 · answered by CLBH 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nah Shawdy!! its okay we all ask stupid q's sometimes!!!
2006-07-05 21:38:26 · answer #6 · answered by bob 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋