Spacecraft powered by solar power circulates the Earth

In the future, LightSail 2 vessels, which exploit the momentum of light particles called photons from solar energy, will be useful to send robots to perform tasks outside the solar system.

One month after the successful launch of SpaceX Space Corporation's Falcon Heavy missile launch of Prox-1 into space, on July 23, the solar-powered LightSail 2 spacecraft from Prox-1 and orbit around Earth.

How to sail LightSail 2.

The American Planetary Association, which conducts research and fabrication of LightSail 2, said that normally, satellites or other research spacecraft will be equipped with solar collectors to help convert light into energy. amount of electricity to operate.

However, it is different for LightSail 2. This vessel will exploit the momentum of light particles called photons emitted from the energy of sunlight to make the orbiting Earth.

Experts from the association pointed out that according to the specifications that the ship sent to Earth, LightSail 2 could have confirmed its Sun sails.

The sail is 32 m ^{2 in size} and is made of Mylar, a lightweight and thin polyester like a spider silk that makes it possible to make good use of the photon momentum.

LightSail 2 is expected to continue to fly around the Earth and if all goes as planned, the ship will gradually increase in height thanks to the pressure of the solar radiation. In the future, these ships will be very useful for sending robots to perform missions outside the Solar System.