Guest: Dr. Young K. Bae: Topics: Dr. Bae updates us on his photonic laser thrust work, we discuss in details the workings of his systems, interstellar flight, speeds, the advantages of not taking fuel with you and lots more.
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We welcomed Dr. Bae back to the show for updates on his photonic laser thruster system since his last appearance in November 2018. You can hear that program at www.thespaceshow.com/show/18-nov-2013/broadcast-2124-special-edition. During our 86 minute discussion, Dr. Bae explained the photonic laser thruster system in great detail. In fact his ongoing explanation was most of the program with most of the listener questions drawing him out for more involved explanations. Later in the show when I asked if he had competition, he mentioned Breakthrough Starshot which we have extensively covered on TSS. This system is similar and works pretty much the same so if you recall those programs with Pete Worden and also Phil Lubin, you won't have any difficulty comprehending his photonic laser thruster systems.
One of the big advantages to his system was the absence of fuel. Dr. Bae amplified this advantage frequently and at one time suggested the fuel mass for a specific mission would be 60 tons. He then explained what kind of difference it would make to be completely free of taking 60 tons of fuel to space. Lots more mission performance and scientific payloads for the kilo for sure.
Our gest answered lots of questions about the energy needed to kick off the photonic laser thruster, the mirrors on the spacecraft and then the mirrors for slowing down the spacecraft at or near the destination. Fremont John was asking him over and over how the slow down hardware got out to the destination in advance of the light speed mission. At long last John did get a reply which was that any hardware needed at the destination would be sent out via chemical or nuclear propulsion and would be like building up hardware for needed infrastructure on Earth. Understanding how system worked and how it was intended to slow it down as it approached the destination was a bit challenging because the spacecraft will go outward at very high speeds but it would take years to get the slow down infrastructure out to the destination. While I understand the project, slowing down and getting advance hardware light years away at an object via nuclear or chemic propulsion to await arrival of the mission seems like a nonstarter to me. Perhaps I am missing something. Let us know what you think about this by posting on the blog.
On the website of the guest are small demo videos you can see which will help make things clearer. Visit the website at https://ykbcorp.com. You can also get added to his announcements list from the website plus you can contact Dr. Bae through the site. During the discussion, our guest talked about DARPA projects, including NOMAD. He also spent considerable time talking about and lamenting the shortage of funding. When asked why progress was slow and it was taking so long, he suggested it was due to visionless people, insufficient funding and funding challenges. These comments started appearing more frequently later in our program. In addition, our guest was asked about using this type of beamed propulsion for the mass of human spaceflight. Don't miss what Dr. Bae had to say on that subject in response to those specific questions.
Listeners, this is a complex advanced propulsion discussion and it would be great if you posted your thoughts about this type of propulsion on the blog. What do you think about it? Do you believe it is as plausible and desirable as suggested by our guest? Let us know your thoughts on it, ok?
Please post your comments/questions for Dr. Bae on our blog for this program. You can reach our guest through me or his website per the above URL.
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