Solar Sails: A Novel Approach to Interplanetary Travel

by Vulpetti, Giovanni

• ISBN13: 9780387344041
• ISBN10: 0387344047
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-07-25
• Publisher: Springer Verlag

Summary

"The first part of this book describes our heritage of exploration in water-borne sailing ships, then moves quickly into the details of space-vehicle propulsion. Space sailing, the authors point out, is "free," meaning it overcomes the problems inherent in having to carry along heavy, costly, and often dangerous propellants. Also discussed are advanced space-vehicle propulsion systems, such as nuclear, solar-electric, nuclear-electric and antimatter rockets. The second part of the book describes various sail systems using either sunlight or the "solar wind." Laser and microwave systems are also described, and the relative merits of each system are compared. The third major section describes the design, fabrication and steering challenges associated with solar sails - they are significant, but not insurmountable. Finally, a fourth section goes into details of space-sailing technology for the more technical reader." "Solar Sails is filled with details sure to interest both novice space enthusiasts and those who are contemplating more advanced studies of the topic."--BOOK JACKET.

Author Biography

Gregory L. Matloff teaches physics at Now York City College of Technology and consults for NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. Les Johnson is a physicist at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, where he serves as the Deputy Manager of the Advanced Concepts Office.

Table of Contents

Space Engines: Past and Present	p. 1
An Historical Introduction to Space Propulsion	p. 3
The Rocket: How It Works in Space	p. 13
Rocket Problems and Limitations	p. 23
Non-Rocket In-Space Propulsion	p. 35
The Solar-Sail Option: From the Oceans to Space	p. 47
Space Missions by Sail	p. 63
Principles of Space Sailing	p. 65
What Is a Space Sailcraft?	p. 73
Sails Versus Rockets	p. 81
Exploring and Developing Space by Sailcraft	p. 91
Riding a Beam of Light	p. 111
Construction of Sailcraft	p. 119
Designing a Solar Sail	p. 121
Building a Sailcraft	p. 135
Progress to Date	p. 149
Future Plans	p. 159
Space Sailing: Some Technical Aspects	p. 167
Space Sources of Light	p. 169
Modeling Thrust from Electromagnetic Radiation Pressure	p. 185
Sailcraft Trajectories	p. 199
Sails in the Space Environment	p. 225
Glossary	p. 237
Index	p. 245
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.