Measurement of impulse coupling coefficients of laser gas propulsion with a pendulum system

The principle to measure the impulse coupling coefficients of laser propulsion with a pendulum system was provided. The impulse coupling coefficients of a parabol laser propulsion thruster were measured with a pendulum system using air, He, N2 or Ar as propellant respectively. The experimental results indicated that the coupling coefficient of the laser propulsion was the highest when the propellant was Ar and it was the lowest when the propellant was He. The relative error of the impulse coupling coefficient was 5.4%~6.4%.