solar sail
noun
: a propulsive device for a spacecraft that consists of a flat material (such as aluminized plastic) designed to receive thrust from solar radiation pressure
Examples of solar sail in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2010, Japan’s Ikaros probe to Venus demonstrated the use of a solar sail for interplanetary travel for the first time.
—
Karl Schroeder, IEEE Spectrum, 24 Feb. 2024
Some concepts – such as placing reflective solar sails into space, or sending aerosols into the stratosphere – create an effect not unlike a solar eclipse, according to Trees.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2024
The Technion model involves affixing lightweight solar sails to a small satellite sent to L1.
—Cara Buckley, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2024
Testing Solar Sails in Space Several private and governmental space agencies have already tested solar sails.
—Paul M. Sutter, Discover Magazine, 23 Nov. 2023
The key to such speedy trips is the 1 kg solar sails’ 720g of aerographite—an ultra-lightweight material with four times less density than most solar sail designs’ Mylar components.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 28 Sep. 2023
And while countless projects continue to explore what solar sails could hold for the future of space travel, a new study demonstrates just how promising the technology could be for excursions to Earth’s nearest planetary neighbor, and beyond.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 28 Sep. 2023
In a pre-launch briefing on June 20, Jennifer Vaughn, COO of the Planetary Society, discussed the next steps for solar sail technology, which may take place without the Planetary Society.
—Korey Haynes, Discover Magazine, 31 July 2019
Namely, a large sun shade will also act like a solar sail, catching solar radiation that will push the structure out of position at L1.
—Popular Science, 9 Aug. 2023
Karl Schroeder, IEEE Spectrum, 24 Feb. 2024
Some concepts – such as placing reflective solar sails into space, or sending aerosols into the stratosphere – create an effect not unlike a solar eclipse, according to Trees.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2024
The Technion model involves affixing lightweight solar sails to a small satellite sent to L1.
—Cara Buckley, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2024
Testing Solar Sails in Space Several private and governmental space agencies have already tested solar sails.
—Paul M. Sutter, Discover Magazine, 23 Nov. 2023
The key to such speedy trips is the 1 kg solar sails’ 720g of aerographite—an ultra-lightweight material with four times less density than most solar sail designs’ Mylar components.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 28 Sep. 2023
And while countless projects continue to explore what solar sails could hold for the future of space travel, a new study demonstrates just how promising the technology could be for excursions to Earth’s nearest planetary neighbor, and beyond.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 28 Sep. 2023
In a pre-launch briefing on June 20, Jennifer Vaughn, COO of the Planetary Society, discussed the next steps for solar sail technology, which may take place without the Planetary Society.
—Korey Haynes, Discover Magazine, 31 July 2019
Namely, a large sun shade will also act like a solar sail, catching solar radiation that will push the structure out of position at L1.
—Popular Science, 9 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'solar sail.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Solar sail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solar%20sail. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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