Beamed Energy and Other Concepts for Aerospace Propulsion Applications
Propulsion for aerospace applications is limited by two basic parameters: specific energy (MJ/kg) and specific power (KW/kg). Specific energy can perhaps be improved by increasing the energy content of propellants, increasing energy storage of other on-board devices, and by the u
Selection note: Curated for its comparison of specific energy and power across laser, microwave, and other beamed-energy aerospace concepts, including commercial and military dual-use applications.
Evidence boundary: Only NTRS metadata and an abstract are open here; calculations and cited applications were not verified, and no offensive use is endorsed. It is dual-use technology context, not automatic GShips claim evidence.
Stable record
ntrs-20050217110
Topic
propulsion
Type
Other
Publisher
Marshall Space Flight Center
Authors
Cole, John W.
Year
2005
Editorial state
metadata curated editorial draft
Reviewer
GShips Project editorial synthesis
Official link checked
2026-07-25
Source-supplied abstract
Propulsion for aerospace applications is limited by two basic parameters: specific energy (MJ/kg) and specific power (KW/kg). Specific energy can perhaps be improved by increasing the energy content of propellants, increasing energy storage of other on-board devices, and by the use of intense off-board energy sources such as beamed energy. Several beamed energy concepts for space access have been investigated using Lasers and Microwave beams. Several preliminary concepts have been examined for high altitude platforms for commercial or military applications. Some of these results are described. Additionally, two concepts are briefly described for potentially improving on-board specific energy: Metallic Hydrogen and Magnetic Energy Storage.
Abstract text has not been adopted as a GShips conclusion.
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A newer or corrected version, a retraction, a verified duplicate, a material topic mismatch, a changed access state, or claim-level review would trigger a dated editorial update.
Only NTRS metadata and an abstract are open here; calculations and cited applications were not verified, and no offensive use is endorsed. It is dual-use technology context, not automatic GShips claim evidence.
Source-supplied titles, abstracts, authors, and dates may require correction against the canonical full text.
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A newer or corrected version, retraction, verified duplicate, material topic mismatch, changed access state, or claim-level assessment would change this record.
People, review, and conflicts
Prepared by
GShips Project
Editorial status
metadata-curated-editorial-draft
Editorial reviewer
GShips Project editorial synthesis
Last editorial review
No editorial-review date recorded
Independent review
pending
Independent reviewer
No independent reviewer assigned
Last independent review
No independent-review date exists
Last content edit
Not recorded separately
Official source or link verified
2026-07-25
Declared conflicts
The maintainer intends to explore a commercial venture based on some GShips work. No entity, outside funding, customer, sponsor, or indexed-organization relationship currently exists.