Laser Pumped Flying Saucer Spacecraft

I have looked to see if this topic has been covered on ATS
but I don't think it has.
its quite an old concept and I saw the video around 2000
when "HORIZON" hosted an episode on LASER's.

As there of interest to me I thought I would share this
application of laser beams to power a craft.
One day the inventor hoped to be able to have a full
scale passenger model working,though the hurdles
that must 1st be overcome are huge, it may one day
be a reality.

imagine a self contained laser/craft combination,could
there be a civilisation on some far off galaxy be dashing
around in these "light ships"?

Maybe the topic is also fit for the UFO section?
well enjoy as I 1st did at the many use's of lasers.

reply to post by stealthyaroura


I remember seeing this on the discovery channel a looooooong time ago, and apparently nothing has come of it.

I think when they try to scale it up for carrying passengers and equipment into space it was more energy/resource consuming than conventional rockets.

Its pretty damn awesome to watch though...

reply to post by Sly1one


yes it's an old clip (well the one I saw) & yes
the power to weight ratio is just not achievable
with our current technology and understanding.

Maybe one day.
I recall the guy was after winning funding from NASA
and to do so he had to attain a certain height of so many
feet of powered vertical flight.
Don't know if he did get the height needed but he was close
on the documentary,but that was year's ago.

Just thought it would be interesting for those new to the concept.

Didn't Leik Myrabo come up with a similar concept, using lasers to propel ships into orbit?

I thought I saw something about railgun electromagnetic powered craft a while back.

Either way, pretty darned awesome.

reply to post by mothy99


I'm sure this is the very same man in the video.
a quick wiki peep and i think your rite.
the time line of the 80's is correct also as i
saw this stuff ages ago too.

reply to post by beezzer


yeah rail guns are a totally different concept,
they use huge electromagnetic forces to propel
objects afar.still awesome tech.