Leik N. Myrabo

Since coming to Rensselaer from industry in 1983, Leik N. Myrabo has performed advanced energetics research. His theoretical and experimental research on innovative aeronautical and space flight propulsion concepts for the year 2000 and beyond takes a long-term, high-risk approach to identifying areas of potential technological breakthrouhgs, revolutionary new systems, and advanced flight concepts. He currently investigates the application of beamed energy and field propulsion engines for future airbreathing reusable launch vehicles. These visionary aerospacecraft would leave their power sources on the ground or in space, and carry a minimal propellant mass for operation beyond the atmosphere. Myrabo is co-author of a textbook on space flight in the future.

 

Leik N. Myrabo
Associate Professor
Tel: (518) 276-6545;
Fax: (518) 276-2623;
E-Mail: myrabl@rpi.edu

Background

L. N. Myrabo received the B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering from Iowa State University in 1968, and the Ph.D. degree in Engineering Physics from the University of California at San Diego in 1976. After receiving his Ph.D. degree, he spent a total of seven years at Physical Sciences, Inc., W.J. Schafer Associates, and the BDM Corporation, respectively, as a scientist/consultant in directed energy, space prime power, and advanced propulsion research.

Research Interests and Activities

Advanced propulsion and power technology, hypersonic gas dynamics, energy conversion, space technology, directed energy. Theoretical and experimental studies are being performed on innovative aeronautical, and space flight propulsion concepts for the year 2000 and beyond. This advanced energetics research takes a long term, high risk approach to identifying areas of potential technological breakthroughs. The specific area currently under investigation is the application of beamed energy and field propulsion engines for future air breathing/rocket shuttle-craft used in a hypersonic mass transit system. These revolutionary beam-powered vehicles would, in essence, leave their energy sources on the ground or in space, and carry minimal propellant reaction mass for operation outside the atmosphere. Among other promising engine cycles, those which are specifically being examined for compatibility with beamed electromagnetic power include detonation wave engines, scramjets, electric air-turborockets (magneto-hydrodynamic fanjets), rotary pulsejets, and a unique variety of airbreathing electrostatic thrusters.

Selected Publications

M. Minucci and L. N. Myrabo, "Phase Distortion in a Propulsive Laser Beam Due to Aero-Optical Phenomena", Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 6, No. 4, July-August 1990, pp. 416-425.

D.G. Messitt, L.N. Myrabo, R.A. Jones and H.T. Nagamatsu, "Computational vs. Experimental Performance of an Axisymmetric Hypersonic Inlet for Laser Propulsion," AIAA 91-2547, give at the AIAA/SAE/ASME 27th Joint Propulsion Conference, June 24-26, 1991.

R.A.Jones, L. N. Myrabo, M. Minucci and H. T. Nagamatsu, "Experimental Investigation of the Hupersonic Flowfield about the Apollo Lightcraft at Mach Numbers of 10 to 25:, to be given at the AIAA 29th Aerospace Sciences Meeting, Reno, Nevada January 7-10, 1991.

W.C. Kennedy, L. N. Myrabo, P. Van Laak and H. A. Scarton, "Acoustic Noise Generated by a Laser-Boosted Transatmospheric Spacecraft", accepted for publication in The Journal of Propulsion and Power.

D. Walton, G. List and L. N. Myrabo, "Economic Analysis of a Beam-Powered,Personalized Global Aerospace Transport System", to appear in Space Power.

J.P. Moder, L.N. Myrabo and D.A. Kaminski, "Analytical Investigation of an Ultra-High Temperature, H2-Fueled MHD Generator, submitted for publication in The Journal of Propulstion and Power.