Sunbeam: Near-Sun Statites as Beam Platforms for Beam-Driven Rockets
arXiv:2407.09414 · doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.07.015
Abstract
We outline a method of beamed power for propulsion that utilizes relativistic electron beams. The physics of charged particle beam propagation in the space plasma environment is discussed and the long-range (>100 A.U.) advantage of relativistic electron beams is emphasized. A preliminary statite based beam emitter for powering probes to ~0.1c is proposed and the challenges in beam-power uses are explored.
References in corpus (6)
- The Structure of the Local Interstellar Medium V: Electron Densities
- Shedding New Light on the 3C 273 Jet with the Spitzer Space Telescope
- A self-consistent model of the coronal heating and solar wind acceleration including compressible and incompressible heating processes
- Relativistic Spacecraft Propelled by Directed Energy
- Low-cost precursor of an interstellar mission
- Design of a rapid transit to Mars mission using laser-thermal propulsion