A method for calculating the laser rocket engine thermal state based on the optical discharge with numerous plasma formations

A method is presented for calculating the thermal state of the laser rocket engine (LRE) structure with numerous plasma formations in the absorption chamber. The results of evaluating radiant heat fluxes and the temperature of the LRE structure walls with regard for convective and conductive heat exchange are given; the actions of a heat flux with the specified distribution density on the structure surface are considered as functions of time and thermal radiation, that is due to the temperature and optical properties of a radiating body. It is shown that working process organization in the absorption chamber on the basis of numerous plasma formations makes it possible to produce a uniform profile of the heat flux distribution along the absorption chamber axis and thus reduce a possibility of separate structure sections overheating.