First Solar Sail Spacecraft to be Launched

[Mike F]

Full Story

"On June 21, Cosmos 1 - the world's first solar sail spacecraft - is set to launch atop a converted ICBM from a submerged Russian submarine in the Barents Sea"

"Cosmos 1 will be the first mission to test the concept of sailing on light, using the pressure of photons to propel it through space. Reflected light pressure will push against eight giant reflective blades, designed to adjust to the continuously changing orbital energy and spacecraft velocity"

"'Solar sailing is the pathway to the stars - the only technology known today leading to interstellar flight,' said Friedman on the CD"

Could be the equivalent of "Mr. Watson--come here--I want to see you" and other first steps of humanity changing developments

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Those first steps will have to wait, looks like the crappy Russian booster crapped out:



Link

[CaptainCrunch]

I've always thought that solar sailing was a cool concept, but I never thought it was really a viable option as far as interstellar travel because your really not moving that much faster than something like the voyager probe, which means your looking at a decade long journey just to cross the solar system.

Also somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but the further away from the sun, the less animate matter to propel you, which means that when you leave the solar system, you lose your means of propulsion.

Maybe one of you guys can straighten me out.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally posted by CaptainCrunch@Jun 24 2005, 03:15 PM
I've always thought that solar sailing was a cool concept, but I never thought it was really a viable option as far as interstellar travel because your really not moving that much faster than something like the voyager probe, which means your looking at a decade long journey just to cross the solar system.

Also somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but the further away from the sun, the less animate matter to propel you, which means that when you leave the solar system, you lose your means of propulsion.

The constant accelleration is what gets you to velocities greater than than say Voyager. Most of the interplanetary vehicles now require some sort of gravity assist to sling shot them to acceptable velocities - the intital Delta rocket boost is really just to get out of Earth's orbit and give it some initial velocity in space. After that space craft are typically limited to thrusters for guidance, which is why technology like ion propulsion and solar sails are considered to be such an advance.

The Planetary Society's webpage answers much of what you're asking:

Link