NASA's solar sail successfully spreads its wings in space

MsPenguinette , 4 hours ago

If photon hitting a surface can impart momentum, does generating photons also impart momentum? Like, if you put a solar powered laser pointer in space, would it move?

ch00f , 4 hours ago

Sure, but it would be less efficient than a sail, and since the incoming radiation would impart inertia on the solar panels, you would still be limited on where you could steer.

SchmidtGenetics , 3 hours ago

Sail absorbs power while also acting as a sail, and you can use the lasers to steer?

It would also be like steering a boat more or less no?

whyNotSquirrel , 3 hours ago

aww so people are pushed away from me because of my brightness and not because I’m dumb??

nooneescapesthelaw , 3 hours ago

Yes, it’s called radiation pressure by emmision

The formula for it is Irradiance^1 of the emission/speed of light.

1: irradiance is basically how much power per unit area is emmited by the object, it’s units are watt/m^2

As for the lasers thing, I’m not a 100% sure how effective that will be and TBH lasers are pretty complicated and I don’t really get them

Imgonnatrythis , 5 hours ago

“The location of the spacecraft in its orbit is roughly two times the altitude of the International Space Station. If you were looking at the sail from above…”

Gotta level with you nasa, for most of us we’re going to be looking at things at that altitude from BELOW.

ieatpwns , 4 hours ago

NASA needs to check their altitude privilege

/s

shadowtofu , 2 hours ago (edited 2 hours ago)

You can check heavens above (adjust your location) to check when it will be visible for you.

Wait a second, it’s going to pass over my house in 5 minutes!

Edit: Shit, clouds!

Edit2: I was able to see it through a few gaps in the cloud cover!

Imgonnatrythis , 57 minutes ago

Wow. Suprised this is ground level visible. Cool that you saw it!

Voroxpete , 44 minutes ago

Fuck that’s cool. You lucky bastard.