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
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Construction is underway for a full-scale version of NOAA's solar sail, which is part of the Solar Cruiser project in collaboration with NASA.
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Meredith Garofalo, Space.com, 16 Feb. 2025
But that solar sails can be manipulated in orbit and used for various purposes is no longer in doubt.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Mar. 2012
One of the spacecraft, Lunar Flashlight, will use its solar sail to maneuver and to reflect light onto the moon's south pole.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Jan. 2015
But there is a bright spot on the near horizon for solar sail tests.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Jan. 2015
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Meredith Garofalo, Space.com, 16 Feb. 2025
But that solar sails can be manipulated in orbit and used for various purposes is no longer in doubt.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Mar. 2012
One of the spacecraft, Lunar Flashlight, will use its solar sail to maneuver and to reflect light onto the moon's south pole.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Jan. 2015
But there is a bright spot on the near horizon for solar sail tests.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Jan. 2015
See All Example Sentences for solar sail
Cite this Entry
“Solar sail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solar%20sail. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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