I have heard of solar sails but one of my friends said that there such a thing as a microwave sail?

Question

Is there such a thing as a microwave sail or is he pulling my leg?

Answer 1

I have seen microwave sales at Sears.

If you get a Sears credit card you get an additional 10% off.

Answer 2

Evidently, there are proposed "microwave sails". I found an article on newscientist.com."Solar super-sail could reach Mars in a month"

"In a forthcoming issue of the journal Acta Astronautica, the Benfords explain how a sail covered with a paint designed to emit gas when it is heated might propel a spacecraft to Mars in just a month. A rocket would take the craft to low-Earth orbit, 300 kilometres up. After the craft unfurls a solar sail 100 metres across, a transmitter on Earth would fire microwaves at it to heat it up. The Benfords calculate a one-hour burst of microwaves could accelerate the craft to 60 kilometres per second, faster than any interplanetary spacecraft to date."

Answer 3

A solar sail is an electro-magnetic sail.
Microwaves are electro-magnetic so what the heck.
A concentrated microwave beam could be a pretty pushy thing.
I say "why not?"

Answer 4

honestly, i've never heard of one--but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. however, solar sails are based on the idea that huge sheets can be propelled by the bombardment of tiny particles the sun releases called the "solar wind." bear in mind these particles are forms of matter. on the other hand, microwaves are a form of light--they're not composed of matter. i'd imagine it's hard to propel a spacecraft with light alone. based on this meager information, i'm going to say your friend was joking or misinformed. (however, i may be in the dark.)

Answer 5

a microwave sail? hmmm, never heard of that one any kind of solar sail would reflect pretty much all radiation, not just microwaves.

Answer 6

Microwave energy is very dangerous if u are exposed to it.

Answer 7

Your friend is full of it.