2 ms·
You're avoiding the energy that would be imparted by hitting the dust spec by... adding energy to the dust spec? Perhaps splitting it so it damages a larger are
by sfink 1y ago
You're avoiding the energy that would be imparted by hitting the dust spec by... adding energy to the dust spec? Perhaps splitting it so it damages a larger area? It seems better to let it plow as small a hole as possible in the sail.
- naasking 1y ago1. Dust specs would respond to momentum imparted by the light much more quickly, which would reduce the momentum difference between the ship and the specs. 2. Enough incident light could vaporize the specs entirely leaving only gas or plasma, which doesn't carry the same danger to the ship.