Solar sails. A novel approach to interplanetary travel

Solar sail technology is very close to becoming an engineering reality. It will soon be used in the exploration of the solar system and beyond. Using the power of the sun for space travel propulsion will be the next major leap forward in our journey to other worlds. This fascinating book provides an accessible introduction to solar sails and details how they work and what they will be used for in the exploration of space. It also examines current plans for solar sails and how advanced technology, such as nanotechnology, might enhance their performance. The coverage includes material on how solar sail propulsion will make space exploration more affordable and demonstrates how access to destinations within (and beyond) the solar system will come within reach. The book also details the constr

Space engines: past and present.- Historical introduction to space propulsion.- The rocket: how it works in space.- Rocket problems and limitations.- Non-rocket in-space propulsion.- The solar-sail option: from the oceans to space.- Space missions by sail.- Principles of space sailing.- What is a space sailcraft?.- Sails versus rockets.- Exploring and developing space by sailcraft.- Riding a beam of light.- Construction of sailcraft.- Designing a solar sail.- Building a sailcraft.- Progress to date.- Future plans.- Space sailing: some technical aspects.- Space sources of light.- Modeling thrust from electromagnetic radiation pressure.- Sailcraft trajectories.- Sails in the space environment.

Much has been accomplished recently to make solar sail technology very close to becoming an engineering reality and it will soon be used by the worlds space agencies in the exploration of the solar system and beyond. This book provides an accessible introduction to solar sails. It details how they work and what they will be used for in the exploration of space as well as current plans for solar sails and how advanced technology, such as nanotechnology, might enhance their performance. Coverage shows how solar sail propulsion will make space exploration more affordable and demonstrates how access to destinations within (and beyond) the solar system will become within reach. The book also details the construction of current and future sailcraft, including the work of both government and private space organizations and features images of sail hardware that has been built, tested and, in some cases, flown.