Laser Propulsion: Wild Idea May Finally Shine

light-speed or more correct laser-speed

...is there a diffirence between light speed and lazer speed?

This is the first (well, nearly the first) time I've heard of using this for air travel. Is the idea to zing a series of ground-based lasers at an "airplane" and thus heat up a propellent?

That's all well and good until some janitor comes along and carelessly nudges the laser with his broom. Then those peanuts you're trying to open would be roasted indeed!

This is not NEW.

It was proposed by Marshall T. Savage in his book "The Millenial Project: Colonizing The Galaxy In Eight Easy Steps." page 108. ISBN 0-316-77165-1 1992. Little, Brown, & Company.

2$ per watt of laser power?

Since when? Or does this not include the cost of making the laser in the first place?