this post was submitted on 24 Sep 2023
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[–] [email protected] 29 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

While a promising line of research it should be noted that 26 day headline only applies to rapid delivery of small payloads (sub-kilogram) throughout the solar system.

Quote:

For the study, the researchers conducted simulations on how fast a solar sail made of aerographite with a mass up to 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds), including 720 grams of aerographite with a cross-sectional area of 104 square meters, could reach Mars

So, this is more about sending micro-satellites to the outer planets than it is about sending human or cargo missions..

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Also

The researchers note that one major question of using solar sails is deceleration, or slowing down, upon arriving at the destination, specifically Mars, and while they mention aerocapture as one solution, they admit this still requires further study.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Sounds like it's probably best to work out all these issues with small payloads before scaling up to human transport.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It can't really be scaled up to human carrying capacity. The density of solar wind is very sparce. Any sail large enough to accelerate a human habitat would itself become too heavy.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

So I guess we're back to the drawing board.

Do we got those nuclear engines kicking around anywhere?

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

Good point. I'd be so down for an army of micro-sattelites just cruising the solar system just taking pics

[–] [email protected] 22 points 1 year ago (1 children)

How long would it take to send just Elon?

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago (1 children)

His fat head would probably slow things down a good bit, unfortunately

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

Weird comment. Lookism isn't cool, even if targeted at horrible and powerful people like Elon Musk. ~~Also, how would more mass/larger surface slow anything down in space where there is no air resistance/drag??~~

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

I was referencing his ego ("fat head"). Save the scolding for your undoubtedly large collection of cats.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/fathead

In common North American usage “fat head” and “big head” imply hubris or pride, as well.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

More mass needs more energy to accelerate or decelerate. If you change the object's mass without changing thrust (I guess sail size here), it will definitely take more time to get there.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Ah OK, so mass is important but surface isn't, right?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

That's right!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

In case of a solar sail however, surface is important.