Electric Solar Wind Sail (E-sail): A propulsion system that uses electrically charged tethers to interact with solar wind ions, generating thrust without propellant. Solar Wind: A stream of ...

The mission is designed to test solar sail technology to help NASA develop larger spacecraft in the future using this next-generation propulsion system. Solar sails work similarly to nautical ...

N ASA's Advanced Composite Solar Sail System has successfully deployed its solar sail, marking a significant achievement in ...

A European consortium is applying wind-solar hybrid and tilting wing technology as modular refits of in-service long-distance ...

Scientists at the California Institute of Technology have taken a major step toward developing lightsails that could one day ...

Powered by laser light, this tiny sail lays the groundwork for future advances in lightsail technology and the potential for ...

Scientists are developing miniature lightsails that could travel at unprecedented speeds, potentially enabling interstellar ...

The idea of a lightsail comes from the fact that radiation pressure represents a mechanical pressure acting on a surface due ...

Unlike most interplanetary probes, Dawn is not propelled by a chemical rocket engine, but by a solar-electric ion propulsion system, particularly suitable for long-distance flights. This innovative ...

The AEPS is a solar electric propulsion system that uses xenon as its propellant, much like existing ion engines. Where it differs is in the power output, which should allow it to work as the ...

Flying on the power of the sun is definitely not a new idea, but it usually involves a battery between the solar panels and the propulsion system. [ukanduit] decided to lose the battery completely ...