Universe Today - NASA Tests a Solar Sail

Play Now -->

DATE : Thu, 12 May 2005 12:00:00 -0800
Entered in Database : 2005-05-12 20:00:00
length : 5114434
Link to the Show / Show Notes

Imagine a solar powered sail that could propel a space craft through the vacuum of space like a wind that drives a sail here on Earth. The energy of photons steaming from the Sun alone would provide the thrust. NASA and other space agencies are taking the idea seriously and are working on various prototype technologies. Edward Montgomery is the Technology Area Manager of Solar Sail Propulsion at NASA. They just tested a 20-meter (66 foot) sail at the Glenn research center's Plum Brook facility in Sandusky, Ohio.

Play in your Iphone