No, what I am going to discuss is propulsion methods, or more precisely, Solar Sails. There are a variety of different propulsion methods in space from the currently used chemical propellants, to the more futuristic electrical, to the somewhat controversial nuclear option, and a variety of strange methods including the innovative solar sails.
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| We have come full circle in a way |
Contrary to what logic would dictate, space has wind, its just not exactly as it is here on Earth. When you are around a star, there is generally a very strong supply of photons heading out from the star (and by generally I mean always.) We observe this stream as light, but strangely enough though these particles theoretically have no mass, they hold a momentum and if they run up against an object, they can impart that momentum into the object. With enough photons bombarding a surface, especially if it is made to catch that momentum, and object should be able to theoretically move in space and gain up momentum, kinda like a sail on a sailing vessel would catch the winds momentum (physicists I know this isn't exactly true, it just works out).
The sail will of course be attached to a satellite or a ship and will be retracted when the ship moves out of the path of the photon movement, thus it keeps up the momentum. The pros of the propulsion method is that it requires no fuel and it can work over a fairly extensive range. The cons on the other hand are that it only works going outwards, for now at least, and that it is extremely delicate. Recently the first one was tried out and their main concern was that it wouldn't unfurl without tearing. Luckily it worked out.
May the stars shine brightly in your skies and check back next week for the nuclear option!
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