Solar Sails -- What are the current limitations?

[dansmith170]

TL;DR

Limitations of solar sails

What are the current limitations with solar sails and why are they not used with greater frequency? I have heard of hydrogen blistering -- is that a significant issue?

 

[PeroK]

Summary: Limitations of solar sails

What are the current limitations with solar sails and why are they not used with greater frequency? I have heard of hydrogen blistering -- is that a significant issue?

Used where?

 

[anorlunda]

Are you asking about spacecraft with light sail propulsion, or sailboats with solar panels built into the sails?

 

[berkeman]

Are you asking about spacecraft with light sail propulsion, or sailboats with solar panels built into the sails?

View attachment 303269View attachment 303270

I think what you are really trying to say is that you would have liked to have seen a different vehicle used for this?

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zVp...image/58598303/DVYyUKgVAAIWVzu.1517959989.jpg

 

[mfb]

The first Falcon Heavy flight was a test of the rocket, it wouldn't have had a use for a solar sail.

Solar sails need to be very large and very light, which means they are difficult to deploy, and even then they only provide a very small acceleration. Ion thrusters are usually better (and certainly more reliable) if you have time, and chemical rockets will get you to your destination faster.