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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In one of many examples, NASA and JAXA have both flown solar sail spacecraft that use sunlight for gentle but continuous thrust.
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New Atlas, 29 Apr. 2026
The small team that’s grown from 16 last year to 60 this year is building reflectors (similar to solar sails) every three days now, an effort that used to take others around six months.
—Dr. Jonathan Reichental, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2026
While still in its early stages, the experiment demonstrates that light can generate the velocity and thrust needed to steer solar sails and adjust satellite positions.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
While three spacecraft would be powered by conventional fuel, the fourth would have a solar sail roughly a third of the size of a football field.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2025
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New Atlas, 29 Apr. 2026
The small team that’s grown from 16 last year to 60 this year is building reflectors (similar to solar sails) every three days now, an effort that used to take others around six months.
—Dr. Jonathan Reichental, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2026
While still in its early stages, the experiment demonstrates that light can generate the velocity and thrust needed to steer solar sails and adjust satellite positions.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
While three spacecraft would be powered by conventional fuel, the fourth would have a solar sail roughly a third of the size of a football field.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2025
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 13 May. 2026.
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