Experiment on Microwave Rocket using a High Power Gyrotron

Abstract

Microwave rocket is new application of atmospheric discharge in a high power millimeter-wave beam. An ionization front of plasma in a high power microwave beam propagates towards a radiation source absorbing microwave power. During its propagation, a shock wave is formed. A shock wave produces impulsive force. In microwave rocket repetitive millimeter-wave pulses generate propulsive thrust. This kind of propulsion system is called beamed energy propulsion (BEP). Because propulsive energy is provided from the beam source equipped on the ground, it is free from on-board energy sources. For that reason, it is expected to achieve a higher payload ratio than conventional chemical rockets. In this study, estimation of thrust using a thrust generation model was conducted.