4 ms·
You don't stop this type of craft, it's strictly accelerate and coast type of thing. Also note that "solar sail" is a bit misleading, the (now apparently dead)
by SiempreViernes 1y ago
You don't stop this type of craft, it's strictly accelerate and coast type of thing.
Also note that "solar sail" is a bit misleading, the (now apparently dead) Breakthrough Starshot design was a big reflector "sail" in space and very many lasers on Earth to power it, it's not actually driven by a stellar wind directly.
- zelos 1y agoThis suggests ejecting a secondary mirror in front of the craft to reflect light to brake the original craft: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1604.01356 https://arxiv.org/pdf/1604.01356: "...or by ejecting a reflector that is then used as a braking system (similar to thrust reversal on jets) but this only works if the payload is still within illumination range of the primary laser system"
- dotnet00 1y agoFlipping the sail around would probably be the lightest option, though tricky because the larger sail designs would not be rigid.
- ianburrell 1y agoSolar sails aren't powered by solar wind but by light reflecting off like the probe. But the probe would be powered by laser so not really "solar" sail. Light sail is the generic term.