Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Solar Sails And Space Propulsion

Posted by Zonk on from the to-infinity dept.

Doomie writes "The Economist has an interesting article about solar sails. It talks about the Russian ICBM that will launch Cosmos 1 (mentioned previously on /.) 'The first craft powered by solar-sail technology to orbit the Earth', and the link between this technology and interplanetary travel. Cosmos 1 will orbit Earth starting on June 21st and could, in theory, reach '200,000kph after three years of acceleration' due to the fact that 'particles of light, or photons, that strike a surface give it a tiny push'. The official homepage of the project has more details." Update: 06/18 18:57 GMT by Z : While space trains would be cool, that wasn't the intent of the story. Changed rails to sails.

13 of 134 comments (clear)

  1. Spelling errors by xwizbt · · Score: 4, Funny

    Isn't this supposed to be a professional website? I'm not the first poster, I realise, which means I'm certainly not the first person to notice the spelling error. But... hasn't this gone past an editor? I mean... what is going on here. Every post has an error of some kind... spelling, grammar... anything...



    I'd offer my services as a proofreader but I don't think I want to be associated with something so consistently shoddy...

    1. Re:Spelling errors by Rosco+P.+Coltrane · · Score: 4, Funny

      Well you know, sometimes you can mix things up when you're in a hurry. My guess is Zonk had just sniffed a rail when he accepted the story...

      --
      "A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
  2. So let me guess by Rosco+P.+Coltrane · · Score: 3, Funny

    Union Pacific is to build the ship?

    --
    "A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
  3. Metric conversion by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    200,000kph = 200,000 km/h

  4. Re:Wow by Darvin · · Score: 2, Funny

    Looks like the spelling was derailed.

  5. Obligitary star trek reference by FidelCatsro · · Score: 3, Funny

    Now all they need to do is hit a tachyon eddy and we can reach Cardasia

    --
    The only things certain in war are Propaganda and Death. You can never be sure which is which though
    1. Re:Obligitary star trek reference by 1ivewire · · Score: 2, Funny

      Solar sails didn't work in Star Trek IV, why would they work now?

  6. Re:200,000kph after three years by Rosco+P.+Coltrane · · Score: 2, Funny

    These solar sails really blow!

    And you know what? when the sail decelerates, they really suck.

    Sorry...

    --
    "A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
  7. Re:WFT? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    You tried to read the article?? You must be new here.

  8. GE or GM by green+pizza · · Score: 2, Funny

    I don't think Union Pacific builds their own equipment anymore. But maybe General Electric or Electro-Motive / GM EMD could provide build the ship.

    Hmm, I can't seem to find the "Add To Shopping Cart" button on either of those websites. Internet shopping revolution my foot!

  9. Re:Wow by mahmud · · Score: 2, Funny

    Am I the only one who thought of Interstella 999?

  10. Example by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    "I helped my uncle Jack off a horse"

    versus

    "I helped my uncle jack off a horse"

  11. Re:Time to patent solar sails. by CockblockTheVote · · Score: 2, Funny

    3. Lawsuite Would this be a collection of lawsuits, all joined together with some common bond?