Patent ID: 6488233
Filing Date: 2002-12-03
Classification: B64C,B64G,F02K

Abstract:
A laser propelled craft comprising:a) a forebody or nose, b) a tapering parabolic afterbody optic, wherein the parabolic afterbody shape is defined by y2=4fDx, where x is the axis of the parabola, y is the radial distance of a point (x,y) from the x axis, p is the focal point of such parabola, D is the diameter of the base of the parabola and f=p/D, c) an annular shroud mounted therebetween and extending aft to define an annular space around a portion of said afterbody and d) means to transmit a pulsed laser beam toward said craft and said afterbody optic and thence into said annular shroud to heat and pressurize the air in said annular space to an expanding plasma to propel said craft, said afterbody and shroud being so shaped as to remain in said laser beam as said craft is propelled thereby.