Does anyone know much about the technology regarding laser powered flight?

Question

Its when a laser is used to shine at the plane on a panel on the body and it suplies energy to power the electric engines. I heard there was tests in this scheduled but have never heard about it since. Any news?

Answer 1

That tech is nonexistent. Hypersonic aircraft are possible the problem is the infrastructure that would be needed is not in existence. Sun power has been tried but so far it will only operate ultra light experimental types......

Answer 2

only thing I know about is the big laser light the Washington DC Air Defense Zone will shine on you if you enter the airspace without permission. All that does though is tell you to go away before they send a black hawk your way.

Answer 3

No such technology exists.

Answer 4

It is illegal to aim a laser at an airplane because the laser beam may blind or dazzle the flight deck crew.  That is the only connection between airplanes and lasers.

There are no airplanes with "electric engines," and the technology you describe does not exist in real life.  Because of the basic properties of light energy, no such technology is likely to be developed.

Answer 5

the only light powerec mechanism of flight was the solar sail. however it works only in the vacuum.

. one of elementary physics experiments includes a square of light material axially hinged in a vacuum. half of the paper /left from the axis it is blackened, hwile the other part is left reflexive. once this assembly is exposed to sunlight /not even the laser/ it starts rotating because of the disbalance in powers between the darkened and reflexive side.

if you are interested in these things, then i suggest to study on the microburst rocket engines for small sattelites. these are in fact sets of small cartridges that are serially triggered by the sattelite to initiate the motion. they are lighter and safer than any solid - or fluid rocket engine. they are used for ballancing and keeping proper attitude of small sattelites.

Answer 6

It is still in the dream stage of development

right behind warp drive,  teleporters and tractor beams!

Lasers are just photons focused in a stream they do not contain any electricity or useable energy to power a motor

Answer 7

there has been aircraft powered by photovoltaic cells, sun on the wing, power to the motor, is that what you mean?

cos a laser is very unlikely to provide enough reliable power to keep the in flight video running, much less the engines