P3_2 Reflection Under Pressure

Abstract

Within this paper we calculate whether it is possible to position a large mirror within space such that a force from the radiation pressure of the Sun, would be great enough to adjust the position of the Sun. We calculate that the mirror would need to be of magnitude 30 times the angular size of the Sun in order to overcome the Sun’s moment of inertia. It is clear from a practical perspective that this would not be possible.