Title: Laser ablation propulsion: high power pulsed laser irradiation and advanced experimental investigation
Speaker: Séverine Boyer (MINES-Paris/PSL)
Date: 17 September 2025

Orbital debris removal in low Earth orbit (LEO) opens the way to a new paradigm in space propulsion. The use of high-power pulsed laser interaction (HP PLI) offers a perspective in this field. This concept is based on laser ablation. The high-power HiLASE beamline facility (Dolní Břežany, Czech Republic), with Perla-B and BIVOJ, is used as a laser facility enabling high-energy, short-pulse, repetitive irradiation. First, the performance of laser ablation propulsion (LAP) will be presented by measuring the coupling coefficient (Cm) using a specially designed ballistic pendulum coupled with a Photonic Doppler Velocimetry system and an angle measurement using laser deflection. Second, to illustrate such an application, a “V-track” system will be introduced with the quantification of the laser/matter interaction-induced velocity of ablated targets. Model materials are used (metal and polymers). The laser conditions are suitable for the prospect of laser propulsion with limited creation of additional debris.

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Laserlab-Europe Talks is a series of online seminars and panel discussions proposed and organised by our community on specific topics (thematic or research-specific) and provide a platform for regular information exchange and knowledge sharing. The Laserlab-Europe Talks are open to all interested parties, from PhD students to experts in the field and industrial and medical partners.

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