Sunbeam: Near-Sun Statites as Beam Platforms for Beam-Driven Rockets
Plasma Physics
2025-06-11 v3 Accelerator Physics
Abstract
We outline a method of beamed power for propulsion that utilizes relativistic electron beams. The physics of charged particle beam propagation in the space plasma environment is discussed and the long-range (>100 A.U.) advantage of relativistic electron beams is emphasized. A preliminary statite based beam emitter for powering probes to ~0.1c is proposed and the challenges in beam-power uses are explored.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2407.09414,
title = {Sunbeam: Near-Sun Statites as Beam Platforms for Beam-Driven Rockets},
author = {Jeffrey K. Greason and Gerrit Bruhaug},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2407.09414},
year = {2025}
}