Abstract
Laser ignition systems offer several advantages over existing liquid rocket engine ignition systems. They can be reused
many times without maintenance, are easy to install and operate, and offer a mass advantage over existing systems. This
makes them a highly attractive solution for future reusable liquid rocket engines. Together with DLR and SAL,
ArianeGroup has developed a laser ignition system that meets the requirements of a typical liquid rocket engine. The
current research focus is on engines using LOX and methane as propellants in a multi-engine configuration. Research and
technology activities have demonstrated the feasibility of using both a plasma breakdown and a laser ablative ignition
system in a thrust chamber configuration under various operating conditions representative of a reusable launcher first stage
mission profile.
many times without maintenance, are easy to install and operate, and offer a mass advantage over existing systems. This
makes them a highly attractive solution for future reusable liquid rocket engines. Together with DLR and SAL,
ArianeGroup has developed a laser ignition system that meets the requirements of a typical liquid rocket engine. The
current research focus is on engines using LOX and methane as propellants in a multi-engine configuration. Research and
technology activities have demonstrated the feasibility of using both a plasma breakdown and a laser ablative ignition
system in a thrust chamber configuration under various operating conditions representative of a reusable launcher first stage
mission profile.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 9 Jun 2023 |
Keywords
- Laser ignition
- High energy lasers