Masafumi Edamoto

Laser fusion rocket is a thrust system in which a propellant is ionized by a plasma from inertial confinement fusion (ICF), and the lasers are driven by an output energy from ICF. The laser fusion rocket generates large thrust and high specific impulse simultaneously and it would be one of the candidates for manned interplanetary missions, as reported in the concept of ICF rocket (VISTA), which has been first proposed in 1983 and summarized in 2003. Though this system uses a magnetic nozzle to control and extract a propellant plasma, it is unclear how the magnetic nozzle works in such an explosively expanding plasma. In this paper, we introduce the numerical research on this thrust system, and experimental investigations of thrust generation, ion extraction, and plasma diagnostics.

<p>Technological innovations in recent years have enabled the downsizing of high-altitude balloon systems to be realized. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to utilize these technologies to develop a small high-altitude balloon operating system. Using this novel system, it will be possible to design an inexpensive experimental plan with a flexible schedule. This operating system is expected to be used for general observational purposes, such as the measurement of acoustic waves, sampling of air-particulate matter, and optical observations at high altitude. In this report, we introduce a novel mobile operational system for a small high-altitude balloon and experimental data obtained via a collaborative flight experiment.</p>