Solar Sail

Tyler Sallee
How It Propels
A Solar sail uses light, reflecting off a surface
to propel it forward
Energy to Propulsion
The Solar Sail works by reflecting photons
away from it
The photons give it energy twice, from the
initial impact, and when bouncing off
1 newton of force is emitted onto it, giving it
little thrust
This is a constant force, the momentum
builds, giving it larger speed than can be
obtained by a traditional rocket
Situations
The primary usage of the sail is for
interplanetary travel.
It has been suggested for usage in interstellar
travel, but cannot currently be done
Uses
Fiction
Star Wars: Count Dookus
ship
Star Trek: Bajoran Ships
Reality
First Proposed to send
A probe to halleys
comit, but the plan was
rejected
Cosmos-1 spacecraft
IKAROS 2010
NanoSail-D 2010
Atmospheric escape
In order for solar sails to be used, they must
first be launched into space
They must be launched on a rocket to get into
space
Parts and Design
A solar sail is made up of a sail, and a small
craft
The sail is made up of many reflective surfaces
It must have a large area, be durable, and
withstand temperature changes
It can be a square, heliogyro(blades), or disk
Image References
Paolopuggioni.com (Title Ship)
Memoryalpha.com (Bajoran ship
Minerva.union.edu (Dooku Ship)
3dartdirect.com(peacock ship)
Flickr.com (slide 5 picture)
Aboutfacts.net (fan-looking thing)
Maiamimo.deviantart.com (Graphic)
Genesworld.com (race)
Typewritermonkeytaskforce (RLS Legacy
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_sail
http://www.planetary.org/explore/projects/lig
htsail-solar-sailing/what-is-solar-sailing.html
http://science.howstuffworks.com/solarsail3.h
tm
http://www.space.com/21556-sunjammer-
solar-sail-launch-2014.html