next generation spaceflight from escape dynamics will harness microwave energy

next generation spaceflight from escape dynamics will harness microwave energy
all images courtesy of escape dynamics

the team at escape dynamics developed the first single stage-to-orbit spaceplane designed for full and rapid reusability. the key difference between NASA’s space shuttle program and escape dynamic, is the technology for spacecraft’s external propulsion. the energy required for launch is delivered from a ground based phased array of microwave antennas designed to safely and efficiently beam flight sustaining power to the spaceplane during the ascent and acceleration to orbital velocity. 

their externally powered launched vehicles represent a revolutionary improvement in efficiency compared to chemical rockets used today. the recent tests demonstrated a full sequence of operation of the system. energy was drawn from the electric grid, converted into microwaves using a system of beam shaping mirrors, and beamed from an antenna to a thruster.  ‘our recent tests are a major step forward in the continued advancement of our externally-powered high isp thruster and validation of our efforts to change the manner of orbital launches’ commented richard f. schaden, co-founder and chairman of the board of escape dynamics. 

diagram of the microwave system  

conversion of the microwave energy into thrust was performed using a thermal thruster with a highly efficient absorbing heat exchanger. the heat exchanger was designed to capture more than 90% of the incoming energy and heat the propellant flowing through it towards the nozzle. dr. dmitriy tseliakhovich, CEO/CTO indicated ‘we, for the first time, conclusively demonstrated that a new propulsion technology that goes beyond chemical rockets and that can be used for orbital launch works on a lab scale, and we are confident that we can take it to multi-megawatt scales and eventually introduce it into single-stage-to-orbit spaceplanes that will change the way we reach orbit.’

rendering of the spacecraft launch

unmanned escape dynamics spacecraft