A solar sail is a propulsion system that uses the pressure of sunlight to generate thrust in space. The sail consists of a large, lightweight, and highly reflective material (typically made of a thin, reflective material like mylar) that is deployed in space. Photons from the Sun’s sunlight exert a tiny but continuous pressure on the sail, which results in a gradual acceleration of the spacecraft. The acceleration is very small but can be sustained over time, allowing a solar sail-powered spacecraft to reach high speeds without the need for traditional propellants.
The acceleration of the spacecraft due to the solar sail thrust can be calculated using Newton’s second law of motion:
a = T/m
where,
- a is the Acceleration of spacecraft due to solar sails
- T is the Thrust Generated by Solar Sails
- m is the mass of the spacecraft
Solar sails are an innovative and promising technology for long-duration space missions, including interplanetary and interstellar travel. They have the advantage of not relying on traditional propellants, making them suitable for extended missions and providing a gradual but continuous acceleration.