Defense Intelligence Reference Document Laser Lightcraft Nanosatellites

This Defense Intelligence Reference Document from the Defense Intelligence Agency, dated 1 November 2010, was produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications (AAWSA) Program. It describes nanosatellite technologies and proposes launching nanosats into orbit with laser Lightcraft propulsion. It also covers a weapon mission selection study and multi-megawatt laser options. The author recommends that the Department of Defense and NASA bring Lightcraft R&D back to the United States and restart the X-50LR flight demonstration program.

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Figure 4. Lightcraft Flight-Test Vehicle Used in Horizontal Guide-Wire Flight Tests (the top
of vehicle is to the right and the laser beam strikes the stretched-out parabolic
mirror/propulsion section on the left) (courtesy of F. Mead, AFRL/PRSP, Edwards AFB, CA).
Figure 5. Lightcraft Undergoing Horizontal Guide-Wire Flight Test (courtesy of F. Mead,
AFRL/PRSP, Edwards AFB, CA).
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