Harnessing Light for Spacecraft Propulsion

In summary: Both momentum transfer and energy capture are in effect in this... but momentum transfer would be more efficient and practically feasible.
  • #36
flashprogram said:
it has been used in mythology since the time of zeno, fundamentally impossible and dismissed as entirely irrelevant and useless... look where that got the greeks going? LET ALONE THE PHILOSOPHERS, perhaps the greatest failure in existence.

An axis to the dimension of time

Your saying that "destination coordinates instantaneous teleportation" is used in mythology? Care to back that up?

I'm honestly not sure what your ramblings are about and I certainly don't see how they apply to this thread.
 
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  • #37
Thread closed.
 
Last edited:
<h2>1. How does harnessing light for spacecraft propulsion work?</h2><p>Harnessing light for spacecraft propulsion, also known as solar sail propulsion, works by utilizing the force of photons from the sun to propel a spacecraft forward. This is achieved by using a large, reflective sail that captures and reflects photons, providing a small but constant acceleration to the spacecraft.</p><h2>2. What are the advantages of using light for spacecraft propulsion?</h2><p>Using light for spacecraft propulsion has several advantages, including the fact that it does not require any fuel, making it a more sustainable and cost-effective option. It also allows for continuous acceleration, unlike traditional chemical propulsion methods.</p><h2>3. Are there any limitations to harnessing light for spacecraft propulsion?</h2><p>While harnessing light for spacecraft propulsion has many advantages, it also has some limitations. The acceleration provided by photons is very small, so it may take a long time for a spacecraft to reach high speeds. Additionally, the effectiveness of solar sails is limited by the distance from the sun and the angle of the sail.</p><h2>4. How is the sail of a spacecraft designed for light propulsion?</h2><p>The sail of a spacecraft designed for light propulsion is typically made of a thin, reflective material such as Mylar or aluminum. It is designed to be as large and lightweight as possible to maximize the surface area for photon capture and minimize the weight of the spacecraft.</p><h2>5. Has light propulsion been used in any spacecraft missions?</h2><p>Yes, light propulsion has been used in several spacecraft missions, including Japan's IKAROS and NASA's NanoSail-D2. These missions have successfully demonstrated the feasibility of using light for spacecraft propulsion and have provided valuable data for future developments in this technology.</p>

1. How does harnessing light for spacecraft propulsion work?

Harnessing light for spacecraft propulsion, also known as solar sail propulsion, works by utilizing the force of photons from the sun to propel a spacecraft forward. This is achieved by using a large, reflective sail that captures and reflects photons, providing a small but constant acceleration to the spacecraft.

2. What are the advantages of using light for spacecraft propulsion?

Using light for spacecraft propulsion has several advantages, including the fact that it does not require any fuel, making it a more sustainable and cost-effective option. It also allows for continuous acceleration, unlike traditional chemical propulsion methods.

3. Are there any limitations to harnessing light for spacecraft propulsion?

While harnessing light for spacecraft propulsion has many advantages, it also has some limitations. The acceleration provided by photons is very small, so it may take a long time for a spacecraft to reach high speeds. Additionally, the effectiveness of solar sails is limited by the distance from the sun and the angle of the sail.

4. How is the sail of a spacecraft designed for light propulsion?

The sail of a spacecraft designed for light propulsion is typically made of a thin, reflective material such as Mylar or aluminum. It is designed to be as large and lightweight as possible to maximize the surface area for photon capture and minimize the weight of the spacecraft.

5. Has light propulsion been used in any spacecraft missions?

Yes, light propulsion has been used in several spacecraft missions, including Japan's IKAROS and NASA's NanoSail-D2. These missions have successfully demonstrated the feasibility of using light for spacecraft propulsion and have provided valuable data for future developments in this technology.

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