Free-Electron Laser (FEL) utilization in space applications (ship-borne pointing accuracy, deep-space communications, and orbital debris tracking)
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Authors
Wittrock, Jason M.
Subjects
Free-Electron Laser
FEL
Pointing Accuracy
Space Communications
Orbital Debris Removal
Orbital Debris Tracking;
FEL
Pointing Accuracy
Space Communications
Orbital Debris Removal
Orbital Debris Tracking;
Advisors
Agrawal, Brij N.
Colson, William B.
Date of Issue
2011-12
Date
December 2011
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The U.S. Navy is currently conducting research which will support the production of a MW-class free-electron laser (FEL). The Navy's end-state goal is to design and implement a defense system capable of destroying a fast-flying, anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) target. To this end, the necessity of ensuring accurate pointing control of the beam is required. The first part of this thesis focuses on the U.S. Navy's desired end-state and investigates the ability of feedback and feed-forward control methods to provide improved pointing accuracy to a beam director mounted on a naval vessel similar in size to that of a Ticonderoga-class cruiser while traversing through various sea-states. The second part of this thesis examines the feasibility of employing the FEL as a means of deep-space (Mars and beyond) communication and orbital debris removal and tracking of objects in low-earth orbit (LEO).
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
xvi, 119 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 28 cm.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.