Laser ablation powered mini-thruster

We have developed a new type of miniature jet for pointing microsatellites. It is based on laser ablation produced by a multi-mode diode laser. The target is a specially prepared tape with a transparent layer through which the laser light passes and an absorbing layer which produces the thrust. We have achieved specific impulse up to 1000 seconds (greater than possible with chemistry), together with laser momentum coupling coefficients of order 6 dyne/W. The preprototype should achieve 100 dynes of thrust. We will discuss the target interaction physics, the materials science involved in creating the targets, and some of our measurements with the preprototype thruster.