Solar Sails: A Novel Approach To Interplanetary Travel (springer Praxis Books / Space Exploration)
by Gregory L. Matloff /
2014 / English / EPUB
6.1 MB Download
The reality of sunlight-based sailing in space began in May 2010,
and solar sail technology and science have continued to evolve
rapidly through new space missions. Using the power of the Sun's
light for regular travel propulsion will be the next major leap
forward in our journey to other worlds. This book is the second
edition of the fascinating explanation of solar sails, how they
work and how they will be used in the exploration of space. Updated
with 35% new material, this second edition includes three new
chapters on missions operated by Japan and the US, as well as
projects that are in progress. The remainder of the book describes
the heritage of exploration in water-borne sailing ships and the
evolution to space-vehicle propulsion; as well as nuclear,
solar-electric, nuclear-electric and antimatter rocket devices. It
also discusses various sail systems that may use either sunlight or
solar wind, and the design, fabrication and steering challenges
associated with solar sails. The first edition was met with
overwhelmingly positive reviews, and deemed “a title that needs to
be on your shelf if you’re seriously interested in the next step as
we move beyond rocketry" (
The reality of sunlight-based sailing in space began in May 2010,
and solar sail technology and science have continued to evolve
rapidly through new space missions. Using the power of the Sun's
light for regular travel propulsion will be the next major leap
forward in our journey to other worlds. This book is the second
edition of the fascinating explanation of solar sails, how they
work and how they will be used in the exploration of space. Updated
with 35% new material, this second edition includes three new
chapters on missions operated by Japan and the US, as well as
projects that are in progress. The remainder of the book describes
the heritage of exploration in water-borne sailing ships and the
evolution to space-vehicle propulsion; as well as nuclear,
solar-electric, nuclear-electric and antimatter rocket devices. It
also discusses various sail systems that may use either sunlight or
solar wind, and the design, fabrication and steering challenges
associated with solar sails. The first edition was met with
overwhelmingly positive reviews, and deemed “a title that needs to
be on your shelf if you’re seriously interested in the next step as
we move beyond rocketry" (Centauri Dreams
Centauri Dreams, September 2008).
Written with a mixed approach, this book appeals to both the
general public as well as those with a more scientifically
technical background.
, September 2008).
Written with a mixed approach, this book appeals to both the
general public as well as those with a more scientifically
technical background.