Solar sailing offers the possibility of low-cost long-distance missions, impossible for any other type of conventional spacecraft. The book provides a detailed account of solar sailing, at a high technical level but in a way accessible to the scientifically informed layman. Solar sail orbital dynamics and solar radiation pressure form the foundations of the book, but the engineering design of solar sails is also considered, along with potential mission applications. This book introduces the subject and at the same time provides a technical reference source.

The first comprehensive account of solar sailing Ideal as an introduction, but treats the subject at a high technical level Emphasis on solar sail orbital dynamics and solar radiation pressure Solar sailing represents one of the few possibilities for travel to the nearby stars in a lifetime

Inhalt

Introduction to Solar Sailing.- Solar Radiation Pressure.- Solar Sail Design.- Solar Sail Orbital Dynamics.- Non-Keplerian Orbits.- Mission Application Case Studies.- Laser-driven Light Sails.