How can LTI reduce launch costs?
Conventional Launch |
The Lightcraft |
|
|
$175,000,000 |
$46,000 |
Chemical Rockets:
- carry massive propulsion source on board
- are expendable
- extremely costly
- prone to explosion due to fuel on board
|
Laser Propulsion:
- propulsion energy source remains on the ground!
- Lightcraft are inexpensive to manufacture and extremely light weight
- highly reusable power source is never subjected to the risks of flight
|
LEO Satellite Launch Cost Comparisons
Conventional Rockets |
Atlas/Delta |
= $50-90 million + $125 million*
(large satellite: greater than 1000 kg) |
Pegasus |
= $18 million + $20 million*
(mini satellite: 100-500 kg) |
|
LTI Laser Propulsion |
|
Lightcraft Tech. |
= $24,000 + $22,000*
(nano-satellite: 1-10 kg)
(micro-satellite: 10-100 kg) |
|
*LEO satellite launch cost = boost cost + satellite cost |
Example application
Teledesic needs to launch 288 mini satellites for their 2003 LEO constellation. Using current launch technologies, it may cost them:
$38 M X 288 = $ 10,944 million
With Lightcraft technology it may cost them:
$46,000 X 288 = $ 13 million
Return to Applications
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