P3_13 Solar Sails

Authors

  • Robert Pierce
  • Allen Phong
  • Mike McNally
  • Thomas Searle

Abstract

The theory of a solar sail is introduced and a simple model of a 1000m2 solar sail weighing 2000kg launched from near the Earth is considered. It is found that the solar sail can reach a speed of 26km s-1 in 6.33 years but beyond that acceleration is very small, making a solar sail viable for exploring the edge of the solar system.

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Published

01-04-2011

How to Cite

Pierce, R., Phong, A., McNally, M., & Searle, T. (2011). P3_13 Solar Sails. Physics Special Topics, 9(1). Retrieved from https://journals.le.ac.uk/index.php/pst/article/view/1961

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2010): Physics Special Topics

Section

Articles