The hidden physics complicating interstellar lightsails
If we're to reach another star, chemical propulsion will not get us there in any reasonable time frame. We're going to need a different propulsion technology, and one of the most promising seems to be a solar sail. These giant reflective surfaces form the basis of many interstell
If we're to reach another star, chemical propulsion will not get us there in any reasonable time frame. We're going to need a different propulsion technology, and one of the most promising seems to be a solar sail. These giant reflective surfaces form the basis of many interstellar mission concepts. Combined with giant lasers pushing them, they can be accelerated to speeds unreachable by any other current technologies.
This report comes from Phys.org. The story centres on The hidden physics complicating interstellar lightsails. Full coverage and background context is available at the original source. Readers seeking more detail on this developing topic are encouraged to follow updates from Phys.org and related outlets covering this beat.
