2y ago

Solar sails could reach Mars in just 26 days

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While a promising line of research it should be noted that 26 day headline only applies to rapid delivery of small payloads (sub-kilogram) throughout the solar system.
Quote:
For the study, the researchers conducted simulations on how fast a solar sail made of aerographite with a mass up to 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds), including 720 grams of aerographite with a cross-sectional area of 104 square meters, could reach Mars
So, this is more about sending micro-satellites to the outer planets than it is about sending human or cargo missions..
- Also
  The researchers note that one major question of using solar sails is deceleration, or slowing down, upon arriving at the destination, specifically Mars, and while they mention aerocapture as one solution, they admit this still requires further study.
  
  Sounds like it's probably best to work out all these issues with small payloads before scaling up to human transport.
- Good point. I'd be so down for an army of micro-sattelites just cruising the solar system just taking pics
How long would it take to send just Elon?
- His fat head would probably slow things down a good bit, unfortunately
  
  Weird comment. Lookism isn't cool, even if targeted at horrible and powerful people like Elon Musk. ~~Also, how would more mass/larger surface slow anything down in space where there is no air resistance/drag??~~

15 comments