Intro To Space Piracy:
Understanding Your Solar Sailcraft
In my talk, I will introduce the lightsail, a form of space propulsion that is fundamentally different from the traditional chemical rocket. Lightsails rely upon the momentum carried by photons in order to achieve thrust. Because of this, sailcraft have one key advantage over rockets—they have no need for on-board fuel. Because sailcraft are free of fuel-dependence, they add a new level of versatility and durability in the field of space propulsion. On Friday, we will explore the Physics of lightsails. We will form the equation of motion of a sailcraft based upon the sun’s radiation pressure. Then, we will discuss some of the inherent limitations of sailcraft technology, such as dependence on nearby stars and materials challenges. In addressing these issues, I will introduce a wide variety of interesting physical concepts, such as systems of deep-space lasers and huge Fresnel lenses used to beam light to sailcraft in interstellar space. We will also discuss considerations that go into designing a sailcraft, and even touch upon the basics of plotting a number of sailcraft trajectories, with a special emphasis on mission applications. Such missions include an interplanetary ferry, a long-term satellite placement in one of the Earth-Sun Lagrange Points, or even a deep space probe to Alpha Centauri. On Friday, we set sail into the cosmic ocean, and I look forward to your company.