Abstract

Solar Thermal Rocket

Introduction

Solar thermal rockets are a type of spacecraft propulsion system that uses concentrated sunlight to
heat a working fluid, which is then expelled through a rocket nozzle to produce thrust. Solar thermal
rockets have the potential to be much more efficient than conventional rocket engines, which use
chemical combustion to produce thrust.

Advantages of Solar Thermal Rockets

Solar thermal rockets have several advantages over conventional rocket engines:

1. High efficiency:- Solar thermal rockets can achieve specific impulses (Isp) of up to 1,000
seconds, which is much higher than the Isp of conventional rocket engines (typically around
300 seconds). This means that solar thermal rockets can produce more thrust from a given
amount of propellant, making them ideal for missions requiring high delta-v (change in
velocity).
2. Low emissions:- Solar thermal rockets do not produce any emissions, making them a more
environmentally friendly option than conventional rocket engines.
3. Low cost:- Solar thermal rockets have the potential to be much cheaper to operate than
conventional rocket engines, as they do not require any fuel.

Disadvantages of Solar Thermal Rockets

Solar thermal rockets also have some disadvantages:

1. Low thrust:- Solar thermal rockets produce relatively low thrust, which can make them
unsuitable for certain missions, such as launching payloads into orbit from Earth’s surface.
2. High mass:- Solar thermal rockets require large and lightweight mirrors or arrays of mirrors
to focus sunlight onto the heat exchanger. This can make them too heavy for certain missions.
 3. Technological challenges:- Solar thermal rockets are a relatively new technology, and
there are still some challenges that need to be addressed before they can be deployed on a
large scale. For example, researchers are still working to develop lightweight and efficient
mirrors, as well as heat exchangers that can withstand the very high temperatures that are
necessary for solar thermal propulsion.

Applications of Solar Thermal Rocket

Solar thermal rockets have the potential to be used for a variety of applications, including:

1. Deep space exploration:- Solar thermal rockets could be used to power spacecraft on
missions to Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and beyond.
2. Interstellar travel:- Solar thermal rockets could potentially be used to power spacecraft on
missions to other star systems.
3. In-space transportation:- Solar thermal rockets could be used to power reusable spacecraft
that transport cargo and people between different orbits around Earth and to other destinations
in the solar system.

Current State of Development

Solar thermal rockets are still in the early stages of development. However, there has been significant
progress in recent years. For example, in 2020, researchers at the Johns Hopkins University Applied
Physics Laboratory demonstrated a proof-of-concept solar thermal rocket engine using helium as the
propellant.

Several companies and organizations are also working to develop solar thermal rockets for
commercial use. For example, the company Space Works is developing a solar thermal rocket engine
called the StarDrive 100, which is designed to power spacecraft on missions to the Moon and Mars.

Future Prospects

Researchers are working to overcome the challenges facing solar thermal rockets. For example, they
are developing new mirror technologies and heat exchanger materials that could make solar thermal
rockets more lightweight and efficient.

If these challenges can be overcome, solar thermal rockets could make deep space exploration and
even interstellar travel possible.
Additional Thoughts

Solar thermal rockets are a promising technology with the potential to revolutionize space travel.
However, it is important to note that solar thermal rockets are still in the early stages of development.
There are still some significant challenges that need to be addressed before solar thermal rockets can
be deployed on a large scale.

One of the biggest challenges is the development of lightweight and efficient mirrors or arrays of
mirrors. Current mirror technology is too heavy and bulky for use in solar thermal rockets. Another
challenge is the development of a heat exchanger that can withstand the very high temperatures that
are necessary for solar thermal propulsion.

Despite these challenges, there is a lot of excitement about the future of solar thermal rockets. If the
challenges can be overcome, solar thermal rockets could make deep space exploration and even
interstellar travel possible.

Conclusion

Solar thermal rockets have the potential to revolutionize space travel. They are more efficient,
environmentally friendly, and cheaper to operate than conventional rocket engines. However, there
are still some challenges that need to be addressed before solar thermal rockets can be deployed on a
large scale.

References

* Solar Thermal Propulsion for Small Spacecraft – Engineering System Development and Evaluation:
https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA439048.pdf

* The Place of Solar Thermal Rockets in Space: https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA407602

* Solar Thermal Rocket Propulsion: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19860000381