June 10th, 2002, 09:10 PM
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General
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Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Posts: 3,070
Thanks: 13
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Re: Scientific Questions
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However, it would be very hard to navigate with such a sail as you can only sail with the photons (i.e. away from the nearby sun)
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It doesn't work the same way as sailboat tacking against the wind, but a solar sail can change your distance from the sun in either direction.
It works because of orbital mechanics. You're orbiting the sun at a certain speed, and can angle the solar sail such that it either increases or decreases your orbital speed; the change in speed then changes the radius of your orbit.
Magnetic sails (indirect link) and related tech are even more promising.
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Cap'n Q
"Good morning, Pooh Bear," said Eeyore gloomily. "If it is a good morning," he said. "Which I doubt," said he.
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