Impulse Measurement Methods for Pulsed Laser Ablation Propulsion

Pulsed laser ablation propulsion has the potential to revolutionize space exploration by eliminating the requirement of a spacecraft to carry its propellant and power source as the high-power laser is situated off-board. More experimentation needs to be done to optimize this propulsion system and understand the mechanisms of thrust generation. There are many methods used to calculate the impulse imparted in pulsed laser ablation experiments. In this paper, key performance parameters are derived for some of the impulse measurement methods used in ablation propulsion experiments. Regimes discussed include the torsional pendulum system, simple pendulum system, and solid and liquid microspheres.