Measurements of the Impulse Coupling Coefficient for Gas Breakdown Laser Propulsion
Xiu-qian Li, Yan-ji Hong, Guo-qiang He, Ming Wen, Cun-yan Cui
The measurement of the impulse coupling coefficient for laser propulsion is carried out with a pendulum system. The measurements of the propulsion characteristics of a parabolic laser thruster were carried out for air, helium, nitrogen, and argon propellants at various laser pulse energies. The experimental data showed that the coupling coefficient of argon was the highest whereas helium was the lowest. The relative errors of the results ranged from 5.4% to 6.4%.