Solar Sail


A solar sail is a spacecraft propulsion system that uses radiation pressure exerted by sunlight on large mirrors or reflective sails made of extremely thin, lightweight materials to provide thrust. The sail reflects photons from the sun, which transfer momentum to the sail and propel the spacecraft forward. Solar sails offer a number of advantages over traditional rocket propulsion systems, including the ability to travel long distances without the need for fuel and the potential for faster speeds over time. However, solar sails are limited by the amount of sunlight available and the size and weight of the sail material.


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