New NASA spacecraft will be propelled by light

Discussion in 'Astronomy, Exobiology, & Cosmology' started by Plazma Inferno!, Feb 4, 2016.

  1. Plazma Inferno! Ding Ding Ding Ding Administrator

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    In 2018, a small space probe will unfurl solar sails and begin a journey to a distant asteroid. It’s the first NASA spacecraft that will venture beyond Earth’s orbit propelled entirely by sunlight. This technology could enable inexpensive exploration of the outermost regions of the solar system faster than ever before and, eventually, interstellar space.
    Solar sails are made of ultrathin, highly reflective material. When a photon from the sun hits the mirror-like surface, it bounces off the sail and transfers its momentum.

    http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/02/160202-solar-sail-space-nasa-exploration/
     
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  3. nebel

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    how do you get solar braking at your destination?
     
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  5. lpetrich Registered Senior Member

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    By orienting the sail appropriately. To speed up, tilt it backward, and to slow down, tilt it forward.

    1991 VG - Wikipedia -- this object orbits very close to the Earth's orbit, something that will make solar sailing relatively easy.
     
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