Abstract: For future laser propulsion missions in space,the choice of propellant will be critical for designing appropriate mission parameters.Recent research on liquid propellants for laser propulsion has been intensive and international in scope.The achievements in the study on the propulsive characteristics of liquid propellants were commented.The outstanding unsolved problems were pointed out with the suggestion of using minor sized water droplets as propellants.Study results indicate that atomized water droplets and liquid films have good propulsive characteristics.

Key words: Laser propulsion;Liquid films;Water droplets;Propulsive characteristics

摘要： 工质的选择对于激光推进任务的完成具有举足轻重的作用。液体工质以其自身独特的优点已经引起了国内外学者的浓厚兴趣。评述了国内外液体工质激光推进性能的研究进展,指出了研究工作中存在的突出问题,探讨了提高液体工质推进性能的可能途径,提出了将尺寸较小的水滴用作工质从而提高推进性能的方法。研究结果表明,液膜和尺寸较小的水滴是提高液体工质推进性能的有效途径。

关键词: 激光推进;液膜;水滴;推进性能