Space Exploration With Solar Sails
Department:
The Future in Space
Teaser:
"Sun-powered spacecraft could be the ticket to traveling beyond the solar system, scientists say."
Source:
SPACE.com Download time: Sep 2 2010 8:09 AM ET
By rigging large pieces of cloth atop boats, early explorers harnessed the wind to voyage across oceans. Now, modern space explorers want to use sails to send spacecraft to the far reaches of the solar system and beyond.
These sails will be made of large, ultra-thin plastic sheets that will be propelled using sunlight instead of wind.
Light particles, or photons, exert a small pressure when they bounce off a reflective surface. Ever since Scottish physicist James Maxwell proved that light exerts pressure in the 1860s, space exploration visionaries have talked about solar sailing. Lately, exciting new developments are making their vision a reality.…
See SPACE.com for links to further info.
