First attempt of a laser thruster space flight test: Lost at launch

Abstract

Abstract Laser thrusters represent a new class of electric propulsion devices. To the best of our knowledge, Dr. Phipps’ μ-thruster prototype (2008) represents the highest technology readiness level to date. So LDU-7 presented in this paper is the world’s first laser thruster approved for a space flight. With carbonized PTFE as a fuel irradiated by a 10\u202fW fiber-coupled diode laser, it was rated for 4\u202fmN pulsed (5\u202fms to CW) thrust and 400\u202fs specific impulse. Fitting within CubeSat 2U dimensions, such thruster is of great interest for small spacecraft due to its comparatively high specific impulse, imparted momentum low bit (1\u202fμN\u202f*\u202fs) and wide dynamic range (up to 3 decades). LDU-7 was supposed to rotate hosting satellite ‘Baumanets-2’ within damping capability of its attitude control system. LDU-7 has been lost with all other payload due to ‘Fregat’ upper stage failure after launch by ‘Soyuz 2.1b’ from Vostochny on 28.11.2017. Here we present briefly the description of LDU-7 design and performance, details of its testing program, and planned experiment.