3 ms·
The linked paper describes a laser propulsion system by means of which no reaction mass need be stored on the spacecraft whatsoever.
by whatshisface 5y ago
The linked paper describes a laser propulsion system by means of which no reaction mass need be stored on the spacecraft whatsoever.
- jandrese 5y agoWhich is impractical because you don't have a way to slow down at the end. Their big plan was to accelerate a camera up to 1/4c and have it snap pictures as it whizzes past the solar system. It's also far less than 1G acceleration. You don't get big acceleration figures like 1G from laser pumped solar sails.