This fascinating book provides an accessible introduction to solar sails and details how they work and what they will be used for in the exploration of space. It also examines current plans for solar sails and how advanced technology, such as nanotechnology, might enhance their performance.

Solar sail technology is very close to becoming an engineering reality and it will soon be used in the exploration of the solar system and beyond. This fascinating book provides an accessible introduction to solar sails and details how they work and what they will be used for in the exploration of space. It also examines current plans for solar sails and how advanced technology, such as nanotechnology, might enhance their performance. Coverage shows how solar sail propulsion will make space exploration more affordable and demonstrates how access to destinations within (and beyond) the solar system will become within reach.

Inhalt

Space engines: past and present.- Historical introduction to space propulsion.- The rocket: how it works in space.- Rocket problems and limitations.- Non-rocket in-space propulsion.- The solar-sail option: from the oceans to space.- Space missions by sail.- Principles of space sailing.- What is a space sailcraft?.- Sails versus rockets.- Exploring and developing space by sailcraft.- Riding a beam of light.- Construction of sailcraft.- Designing a solar sail.- Building a sailcraft.- Progress to date.- Future plans.- Space sailing: some technical aspects.- Space sources of light.- Modeling thrust from electromagnetic radiation pressure.- Sailcraft trajectories.- Sails in the space environment.