Interstellar dust propelled by high brightness radiation sources and the implication for laser propulsion

摘要

Active galactic nuclei, supernovas and some massive luminous stars are sources of intense radiation at all wavelengths. η Carinae is an unusual radiation source producing UV laser-like radiation. Estimates of the intensity of these sources indicate that interstellar dust clouds produced during the star's penultimate period of stability, will be strongly affected, with the possibility of some dust particles being accelerated to near relativistic velocities. Theoretical work by Bingham, Marx, Mclnnes, Spitzer, Tsytovich is reviewed and its applicability to photon propulsion is discussed. Photon propulsion will be the ideal propellant for nanoscale satellites.