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Old April 21st 17, 08:51 PM posted to rec.arts.sf.science,sci.space.policy,sci.physics
Robert Clark[_5_]
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Posts: 245
Default Reusable Laser Launcher


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"0something0" wrote in message
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Lets say that a laser(and other equipment that needs to be replaced every so
often) can be used 10 years before needing to be replaced, there are 2
launches every day, and that all of the cost is from the 472 million dollar
laser array.(probably can get better info from Atomic Rockets but I don't
have time for that). Each launch consumes a megawatt and takes 1 hour, so it
takes $120 per launch if we are drawing power from a US grid(12 cents per
kw-hour). Each launch can lift 10kg.

10 years = 3650 days * 2 =service life: 7300 launches
$472,000,000/7300 launches =(around) $64657.5+$120(electricity
cost)/launch(10kg) = $6477.75 per kilogram. According to Atomic Rockets, the
1966 Proton has $5000/kg launch cost.

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Likely, the cost for the 1,000 lasers at 10 kW each will be less than
$472,000,000 since they would be bought in large quantity. And the quoted
price was for the entire laser cutting system. The cost would be less for
the bare laser.
Also, the flight time to orbit is expected to be about the same as for usual
rockets about 10 minutes. So you could then have many more flights to
amortize the cost of the lasers.

Bob Clark
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