Was Marx right? or How efficient are laser driven interstellar spacecraft?
作者:
J. F. L. Simmons,
C. R. McInnes,
期刊:
American Journal of Physics
(AIP Available online 1993)
卷期:
Volume 61,
issue 3
页码: 205-207
ISSN:0002-9505
年代: 1993
DOI:10.1119/1.17291
出版商: American Association of Physics Teachers
关键词: SPACE VEHICLES;SPACE TRANSPORT;LASER BEAMS;PROPULSION;RELATIVITY THEORY;PHOTONS;MIRRORS;EFFICIENCY
数据来源: AIP
摘要:
The idea of a laser driven space vehicle capable of interinterstellar travel was raised 25 years ago. The original article by Marx [Nature211, 22–23 (1966)] presented a relativistic calculation that contained conceptual and numerical errors. Here the inconsistencies of the original article are corrected. Marx’s calculations are generalized to the case where the laser is of variable power, and to the interesting case where the laser beam is recycled by means of mirrors. The obstacles to this form of interstellar travel appear insurmountable, but the calculations provide an excellent example of the application of relativistic ideas.
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