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Ask a High-Energy Astronomer

The Question

(Submitted April 01, 1998)

Is a solar powered rocket possible?

The Answer

One kind of solar-powered spacecraft which will probably be built well within you lifetime is the solar sail, which uses radiation pressure from the sun much like sailing ships use the wind. For details see:

http://www.ec-lille.fr/~u3p/ (http://www.ec-lille.fr/%7Eu3p/)

Koji Mukai
for Ask a High-Energy Astronomer

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