Engineering >> Mechanical Engineering

Interstellar Travel by Means of Solar Sail

by Anthony Perez

 

Submitted : Spring 2016


In this paper, the mathematics of Solar Radiation and its usefulness as a means of propelling a space craft are explored. Using equations derived within this paper, radiation pressure, acceleration and velocity as functions of radius from the sun, among others physical properties of a solar sail are presented. From this paper, it is found that solar sails, while a novel approach to space travel, are too slow compared to the classical means of space travel, i.e. rockets.


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Advisors :
David Milligan, Mathematics and Statistics
Joseph Gonzalez, Physics
Suggested By :
Joseph Gonzalez