Conceptual study of manned space transportation vehicle using laser thruster in combination with the H-II rocket

Abstract

This paper describes the conceptual study of a Manned Space Transportation Vehicle (MSTV) using a laser thruster in combination with the H-II Rocket. By combining the use of a laser thruster and H-II Rocket, space trip to the International Space Station (ISS) or a round trip mission around the moon can be performed. Once MSTV with one crew achieves a circular orbit at an altitude of 200km around the earth (parking orbit) by use of H-II Rocket, MSTV will then put into a circular orbit into an altitude of 400km (ISS orbit) from 200km circular orbit by use of the laser thruster. H-II Rocket has the following launch capability with payloads for LEO (300km): 10t (H-II A Rocket), 16.5t (H-II B Rocket). Laser thruster using water propellant, power source for the laser, orbital transfer calculations (to ISS or the Moon) and other practical aspects are examined.