Problems of cosmic laser energy supply to users on Earth

Abstract

The global cosmic systems may be used for solution of problems of the Earth supply with energy in the nearest future. Such system can involve several cosmic platforms on the polar or heliostationary orbits. The present paper deals with prospects for using 3 types of the high power IR lasers for the cosmic power systems. The first laser type is a laser optically pumped by thermal radiation; it uses an intermediate 'black body' radiator heated by solar radiation and offers substantial and important advantages. The second laser type is a CO<SUB>2</SUB> laser with radio frequency pumping. We can use several 33 X 30000 W lasers in one module for approximately 1 MW cosmic laser system. The module of 320 X 320 m<SUP>2</SUP> solar cells is needed for such laser system energy supply. The third laser type is a CO<SUB>2</SUB> gas-dynamic laser. The numerical studies of carbon dioxide laser that is pumped by solar-thermal heating were made, and the output laser power approximately 1 MW was calculated. The parameters studies were conducted for this laser conception.