Solar Sails

Summary

Human beings have been trying to explore the unknown universe through various types of spacecrafts. Taking this further, researchers at NASA are developing a sail that will use solar energy to propel spacecrafts deep in space. As Aerospace technologist Dr. Keith Belvin explains, the sun emits light or photons in all directions. The momentum of photons produces a pressure when reflected from a surface. This pressure is used to propel the spacecraft further in space. The pressure from the photons is small but the sail receives a constant source of energy resulting in a good propulsion speed and hence there is a considerable improvement in the travel time. Solar powered sails will also allow spacecrafts to travel in orbits that are otherwise not affordable.