System Architecture Proposal: Phased Orbital Beamed-Energy Propulsion for Interplanetary Logistics

This technical note shows a way to build a propulsion system that can be changed and grown as needed. It is meant to help solve the problem of how much a rocket can carry compared to its weight. This is something that traditional rockets have trouble with. The system keeps the source of energy separate from the spaceship. It uses a solar reflector made of thin film. This reflector is 32 miles in size and works in a special kind of orbit that always faces the sun. This reflector helps power lasers that send out light in a strong way. The light pushes on light sails on the spaceship. This gives the spaceship a push, which helps it go very fast. This can cut the time it takes to go from Earth to Mars down to about 8.7 days. The spaceship moves at speeds that're a small part of the speed of light between 0.001c and 0.003c. The idea includes details about how the system works. It shows the math for how much sunlight's caught. It also talks about how to manage heat and a plan that has three steps. The plan starts with building a model, in Earth orbit. Then it grows to handle moving things inside the solar system. Finally, it aims to send probes to stars.