Jump to content

Solar sail propulsion


PB666

Recommended Posts

3 hours ago, PB666 said:

https://blogofthecosmos.com/2016/04/26/a-sail-through-the-cosmos/

There does not seem to be a thread on solar sails, just subtopics so I am placing this in a new thread.

 

Does this also apply to Electric and Magnetic sails?

Cause if so; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_sail, btw, there's a thread for this I believe;

And; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_sail

I'm pretty sure everyone who visits the Sci/Space forums all the time know that Project Starshot uses laser propelled solar sails, So here's the thread link for anyone who doesn't want to go searching for it;

But Solar sails are really cool, and depending on where you start in the solar system, and the size of the spacecraft, you could get to pretty decent speeds without lasers, and with lasers, and a small spacecraft, as described by Starshot, could get to .20 c, and perhaps higher if you  keep the laser focused, perhaps as high as .40 c, or maybe even higher, I dunno. Solar sails will allow us to go to the stars, and Antimatter will help us colonize them.

Anyway, does anyone know what the maximum speed for a non-laser propelled Solar sail is, for a tiny spacecraft?

Edited by Spaceception
Link to comment
Share on other sites

27 minutes ago, Spaceception said:

Does this also apply to Electric and Magnetic sails?

Cause if so; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_sail, btw, there's a thread for this I believe;

And; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_sail

I'm pretty sure everyone who visits the Sci/Space forums all the time know that Project Starshot uses laser propelled solar sails, So here's the thread link for anyone who doesn't want to go searching for it;

But Solar sails are really cool, and depending on where you start in the solar system, and the size of the spacecraft, you could get to pretty decent speeds without lasers, and with lasers, and a small spacecraft, as described by Starshot, could get to .20 c, and perhaps higher if you  keep the laser focused, perhaps as high as .40 c, or maybe even higher, I dunno. Solar sails will allow us to go to the stars, and Antimatter will help us colonize them.

Anyway, does anyone know what the maximum speed for a non-laser propelled Solar sail is, for a tiny spacecraft?

That thread is for active powered this is passive/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The only info I could find on speed is that IKAROS gained 100m/s after 6 months.  The Planetary Society Project Lightsail looks quite interesting for tiny probes but I would love it if our manned exploration of the solar system began with sail powered craft - just like our exploration of Earth.  I also have a boyhood dream of being a space pirate.  Arrrr, me hearties.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This thread is quite old. Please consider starting a new thread rather than reviving this one.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...