Is it just me or does the idea of solar sails sound more like science fiction than science fact?

Question

I mean solar sails would survive a trip of any great distances, sure solar sails are a great way to get children interested in science and space technology but solar sails just aren't viable.

Answer 1

Well - the physics behind the concept is sound. You may in fact recall an experiment from high school where the energy of light on a 'vacuum' tube with reflective fans caused the fans to spin. This basic concept, in the vacuum of space, applies to solar sails.

What is really appealing about them is that they can continuously add momentum when in proximity to a powerful light source (such as the sun) and indeed, might be further augmented by reflected light or lasers in space.

As to viability, for the purposes of deep space travel to the far reaches of our solar system, and hopefully into interstellar space, they are eminently more viable than simple chemical propelled rockets we have today - we are barely able to get those to distant regions of space without using complex centripedal accelerating maneuvers around the gravity wells of planets in space (this is why we sometimes send probes to Jupiter by first aiming them at 'Venus' to get accelerated on the flyby).

Indeed, The Planetary Society funded the launch and deployment of a solar sail in orbit. Sadly, the Russian rocket that launched the sail into low Earth orbit for the experiment failed to reach orbit and the experiment was lost.

So - please don't dismiss the concept as folly - rather, view it as inspiration for a future where America, or more likely, China, Japan or India - will rekindle the human exploratory spirit and take on a journey of magnificence. Americans will be at Wal-Mart - working!

Great question and...
KEEP STUDYING SCIENCE!!!!!
Science is the greatest hope for the future of America and humanity. America has sadly lost its competitiveness in science, we have become fat, stupid and lazy preferring the simplicity of a revival tent to the discipline of academic study and open, sometimes answerless, inquiry. This great nation, which pulled off the Manhattan project, Apollo program, and the semiconductor revolution is now devoid of native intellectual talent and is falling behind countries like China and India - once 3rd world nations, soon to be our masters. In part, our demise as a world power has been hastened by the election of ignorant religious zealots such as George W. Bush who is anti-science. He is the worst President in modern American history and a monumental failure.

Answer 2

Solar sails are in fact a reality and is being experimented with right now but not in the way your thinking of it, Solar sails are being experimented with to propel a ship through our solar system, They would capture the solar wind in space and carry a ship at the speed of the solar wind, This is all in experimental stages right now but may become a reality one day in the near future, As far as a solar sail on our planet now thats a whole different ball game that I know nothing about;

Happy Holidays;

SG

Answer 3

The physics is sound.
The expected thrust is observed on the panels of, and
in the orbits of satelites.
The idea has been tested, and the 'free lunch` thrust
is far too attractive to ignore.
Baring unexpected developements in propulsion,
I would expect to see it happen.

Answer 4

why dont u try this link-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_sail