High Power Laser Propulsion

Yu. A. Rezunkov is a leading scientist of the Scientific Research Institute for Optoelectronic Instrument Engineering (NII OEP JSC) in Sosnovy Bor (Russia). He graduated from Leningrad Polytechnic Institute (now Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University) with a diploma in aerodynamics and thermodynamics in 1974. In 1977 he earned a PhD degree and joined NII OEP JSC. Yu. A. Rezunkov has published a number of papers on various scientific subjects, including propagation of high-power laser radiation in the Earth's atmosphere, development of laser lightning protection systems, phase conjugation techniques to compensate for the laser beam wavefront distortions as well as development of the high-peak power picosecond CO₂ lasers. Special attention in his papers has been paid to the development of the laser propulsion theory and applied techniques. The laser ablation propulsion based on the CHO-polymers was the subject of his Doctor of Science thesis, successfully defended in 2006.

Chapter1: A Brief History of Laser Propulsion.- Chapter2: Basic Gas-dynamic Theories of the Laser Air-breathing and Rocket Propulsion.- Chapter3: Laser Ablation of Solid Materials, Laser-ablation Propulsion.- Chapter4: Aerospace Laser Propulsion Engine.- Chapter5: Supersonic Laser Propulsion.- Chapter6: Space Mini-vehicles with Laser Propulsion.- Chapter7: Laser Power Transfer to Space Vehicles with Laser Propulsion.