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NASA Flies First Laser-powered Aircraft

Posted by michael on from the scientists-do-it-with-lasers dept.

unassimilatible writes "NASA has successfully tested a small-scale aircraft that flies solely by means of propulsive power delivered by an invisible, ground-based laser. How far away can in-flight IP/LASER broadband be?"

8 of 283 comments (clear)

  1. Space Elevator by cflorio · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This is the technology they want to use to power the space elevator.

  2. Hmm... by MaestroSartori · · Score: 2, Insightful
    How far away can in-flight IP/LASER broadband be?
    I dunno, about as far away as in-car IP/gasoline broadband is? The craft in question is powered by laser, not using it to communicate with anything!
    --
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  3. Re:Laser powered.. by adeyadey · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Now, did I say they used the same principle? Thanks, I did RTFA. :-)

    Laser driven Space Sails (ok not solar in this case, but light-driven, although they would prob use solar as well) use the momentum of the photons to push the craft forward - but you still need a damn powerful laser to do it effectively..

    Laser driven space sails are one of the few feasable technologies we really have that could be used for sending probes interstellar distances in a viable time-scale.

    The 2 concepts have the same sort of principle idea - if you dont have to carry fuel, a craft can keep aloft/accelerating for very long periods of time..

    --
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  4. What a wast of time and money by FreeSky · · Score: 2, Insightful

    They directed a laser beam at photaic cells? Nice other name than solar panel. OK, the laser powered plain flies as long a laser hits it. But still the plain is carrying it fuel (photaic cell aka solar panel) on board, as meantion in the introduction. This is no breakthrough but rather a toy for big children.

  5. It's Called Radar by Myriad · · Score: 2, Insightful
    A laser beam pointing to/from a commercial aircraft is essentially a giant pointer, constantly updated, announcing the precise position of the plane. It should not be difficult at all to build a guidance system that follows the laser and delivers a payload to the plane just as a line climber [intothewind.com] follows a kite string to a kite.

    Hmmm, a system capable of tracking the precise position of an aircraft? You mean like RADAR?

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  6. Re:China by Knobby · · Score: 3, Insightful

    This is cool but I like China's space program better...they are going to be doing manned exploration of S P A C E.

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration

  7. Re:Why can't they do this with power? by hackstraw · · Score: 2, Insightful

    If they are using laser beams to power a generator in the plane, why don't they use this to solve our energy distribution problem? In blackouts, just beam power to cities by laser.

    Or cities could just use that big natural free radiation source called the Sun.

  8. Re:Life Imitating Art? by surprise_audit · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Niven & Pournelle's Footfall is a closer match. Aliens invade Earth and during the occupation, use ground-to-orbit shuttles that are partially launched by ground-based lasers. The lasers push the shuttle to an altitude where it's "safe" to crank up the main engine. Some resistance fighters manage to damage one laser ground-station during a launch, causing the loss of the shuttle, but they're subsequently creamed by the mothership. I don't remember if the shuttles glide to land, or come down ass-first onto the laser...