Laser-Driven Solar Sails Face Unexpected Drag Near Light Speed
Solar sails propelled by powerful laser beams could theoretically reach very high velocities, but new analysis shows that at about 75% of light speed, scattered photons generate a counteracting drag force. This effect introduces a significant challenge to the feasibility of such interstellar propulsion systems.
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Laser-driven sails rely on the momentum of
Expanded detail and Context are AI-generated analysis; the linked article remains the authoritative source.
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Relativistic Drag Could Limit Laser-Driven Solar Sails · Space exploration
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Original headline: “Interstellar Solar Sails Hit a Strange Problem at 75% of Light Speed.” Browse more stories.