That would be both frightening and awesome! But there’s only one way to find out. That’s why NASA engineers are all set to test their version of a “solar sail” called the NanoSail-D this fall.
The concept of a solar sail has been around for decades. It’s long been touted as a viable means of interplanetary (and even interstellar) travel. The idea works much the same way a traditional sailboat does, but instead of wind, it is propelled by charged particles from the sun (called “solar wind”) which flow all the way to the outer reaches of the solar system. These futuristic space yachts could harness this solar wind with huge sails; starting slow but steadily building speed through the frictionless seas.
To rev up to Star Trek-ish velocities, a “solar sail” would have to cover a huge area (some theorize 6 million square feet). But the NanoSail-D will start with a relatively modest 100 square feet made of a polymer no thicker than single-ply tissue paper.
The NanoSail-D is scheduled to hitch a ride on a Minotaur IV rocket as part of the payload aboard the Fast, Affordable, Science and Technology Satellite (or FASTSAT) and will be compacted into a container smaller than a loaf of bread before unfurling to full mast. The NanoSail-D will remain in orbit for 17 weeks and will hover at around 400 miles above the earth’s surface. The relatively low altitude means the NanoSail-D will probably not reach very high speeds due to drag created by the earth’s outer atmosphere, but this is really a proof-of-concept mission that will be a first step to making the universe a tiny bit smaller–and to bringing the dream of one day being a space pirate closer for us all.
A video description from NASA nerds it up after the jump.
Via physorg
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