Can a spaceship be powered solely by solar energy?

  • Thread starter Mayed Al-Tunaiji
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In summary, the conversation discussed the possibility of powering a spaceship solely with solar power and the potential benefits it could bring to space exploration. However, it was noted that the amount of solar panels required for such a feat is significant and would greatly increase the weight and cost of the spacecraft. Additionally, the use of renewable energy does not guarantee increased efficiency or reduced cost. Some existing spacecraft do use solar power, but on a smaller scale and not suitable for long-distance trips like to the moon. It was also suggested that nuclear power may be a more practical option for spacecraft propulsion. Overall, while there are proposals for solar-powered spacecraft, further development and advancements are needed for it to become a viable option.
  • #1
Mayed Al-Tunaiji
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Hello, PF. So I was wondering if it's possible to power a spaceship by solar power only. If so how big will the solar panels be? Where would they be installed? How long will it take for them to fully charge in order to travel a certain distance? between Earth and the moon for instance.
 
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  • #2
Mayed Al-Tunaiji said:
Building such a rocket could revolutionize space exploration since the mass will be reduced significantly along with the cost of building a spacecraft .

That's an unfounded claim.

A moon shot takes in the ballpark of 1 TJ of energy. The solar constant is in the ballpark of 1 kW/m2. So you need acres upon acres of solar panels. Which you then have to lift, which requires more energy, which requires more solar panels, and so on and so on.
 
  • #3
Vanadium 50 said:
That's an unfounded claim.

A moon shot takes in the ballpark of 1 TJ of energy. The solar constant is in the ballpark of 1 kW/m2. So you need acres upon acres of solar panels. Which you then have to lift, which requires more energy, which requires more solar panels, and so on and so on.
Sorry but I thought that using renewable energy is going to increase the efficiency of the rocket.
 
  • #4
Mayed Al-Tunaiji said:
Sorry but I thought that using renewable energy is going to increase the efficiency of the rocket.
No, "efficiency" is not a relevant concept when discussing different energy sources and wasn't what you posited anyway: you speculated about COST, making the classic solar energy mistake that assuming since the source energy is free that the total lifetime cost of the system will be lower. It doesn't follow...and the cost follows the weight issue. So you're basically assuming that solar panels are approximately free and weigh approximately nothing.

In any case, such spacecraft do exist on a weaker scale: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawn_( spacecraft )

They have high propulsive efficiency, but low power to weight ratios, so they are never going to be viable for a trip to the moon. For very long trips they collect a lot of energy, which is where they provide a lot of benefit.
 
  • #5
First you would need some form of electrical propulsion which currently isn't very practical. You would also still need fuel to get into orbit. A nuclear reactor would probably be more practical given you have a good source of propulsion that only uses electricity.
 
  • #6
Proposals like in the Asteroid Retrieval Feasibility Study by Keck Institute for Space Studies are based on solar powered propulsion but it sounds like a case of "if or when someone else does the development work".
 

1. How does a solar-powered rocket ship work?

A solar-powered rocket ship uses solar energy to power its engines instead of traditional rocket fuel. Solar panels on the surface of the ship collect sunlight and convert it into electricity. This electricity is then used to power electric thrusters, which propel the ship forward.

2. What are the advantages of using a solar-powered rocket ship?

The main advantage of a solar-powered rocket ship is that it does not require traditional rocket fuel, which can be expensive and harmful to the environment. Additionally, solar energy is a renewable resource, so the ship can continue to travel as long as the sun is shining.

3. How far can a solar-powered rocket ship travel?

The distance a solar-powered rocket ship can travel depends on the size of its solar panels and the efficiency of its engines. Some prototypes have been able to travel as far as Mars, while others have only been able to reach the upper atmosphere of Earth.

4. What are the limitations of a solar-powered rocket ship?

One limitation of a solar-powered rocket ship is that it can only operate in areas where there is enough sunlight to power its engines. This makes it unsuitable for long-distance space travel, as the further away from the sun a ship travels, the less sunlight it receives. Additionally, solar panels can be damaged by debris in space, which could hinder the ship's ability to collect solar energy.

5. How does a solar-powered rocket ship compare to traditional rocket ships?

Solar-powered rocket ships are still in the early stages of development and have not yet been used for large-scale missions. Traditional rocket ships are more powerful and can travel longer distances, but they require a significant amount of fuel and can have harmful environmental impacts. Solar-powered rocket ships have the potential to be a more sustainable alternative, but further research and advancements are needed.

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