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originally posted by: TheJesuit
[...] Any theory on using LIGHT as a propellant in space? or on Earth?
- Laser Propulsion (Wiki)
[...] Laser propulsion systems may transfer momentum to a spacecraft in two different ways. The first way uses photon radiation pressure to drive momentum transfer and is the principle behind solar sails and laser sails. The second method uses the laser to help expel mass from the spacecraft as in a conventional rocket. This is the more frequently proposed method, but is fundamentally limited in final spacecraft velocities by the rocket equation.
- New Nasa Spacecraft Will Be Propelled By Light
In 2018, a small space probe will unfurl a sail and begin a journey to a distant asteroid. It’s the first NASA spacecraft that will venture beyond Earth’s orbit propelled entirely by sunlight. This technology could enable inexpensive exploration of the solar system and, eventually, interstellar space.
[...] It will take 2.5 years for the NEA Scout to reach its destination, a smallish asteroid named 1991 VG. But it won’t be a leisurely cruise. The continuous thrust provided by sunlight hitting the solar sail will accelerate the probe to an impressive 63,975 mph (28.6 km/s) relative to the sun. Given enough time, a spacecraft equipped with a solar sail can eventually accelerate to higher speeds than a similarly sized spacecraft propelled by a conventional chemical rocket.
- Crookes Radiometer
Crookes radiometer The Crookes radiometer, also known as a light mill, consists of an airtight glass bulb, containing a partial vacuum. Inside are a set of vanes which are mounted on a spindle. The vanes rotate when exposed to light, with faster rotation for more intense light, providing a quantitative measurement of electromagnetic radiation intensity.
originally posted by: TheJesuit
Im no scientist but if you were to travel the speed of light wouldn't you have to use light as a fuel to push propel -whatever - in space and just wait to gather up speed the problem after traveling that far would be acquiring another light source.... lol .. Solved it!
Any theory on using LIGHT as a propellant in space? or on Earth? Gravity would be a monkey wrench though.
originally posted by: TheJesuit
id say that i have to disagree with you on light having no effective energy .. every plant based thing grows because of sunlight, it creates the weather and the seasons there's energy there just not our capacity to harness it for propulsion.. other than solar
a reply to: Gothmog
originally posted by: TheJesuit
Im no scientist but if you were to travel the speed of light wouldn't you have to use light as a fuel to push propel -whatever - in space and just wait to gather up speed the problem after traveling that far would be acquiring another light source.... lol .. Solved it!
Any theory on using LIGHT as a propellant in space? or on Earth? Gravity would be a monkey wrench though.
originally posted by: oldcarpy
a reply to: Gothmog
What about solar sails?
Solar Sails Wiki
originally posted by: andy06shake
a reply to: TheJesuit
There are some ideas regarding firing a laser from earth at a solar sailed vessel which could get it up to around 10% the speed of light.
We will never be able to travel faster than light unless we are able to somehow warp space-time around a craft thus use expansion/contraction of space-time to propel the thing.
There simply is not enough matter in the universe to fuel/propel a conventional vehicle past the speed of light.