Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

NASA to Launch Solar Sail

Posted by timothy on from the cue-bad-brains dept.

arbitraryaardvark writes "Physorg reports that NASA will launch a solar sail around the end of July. It'll be the first of its kind; a previous attempt blew up. It's a small proof-of-concept gizmo, not a full-on spaceyacht. Solar sails operate on photon pressure from sunlight. They are well known to science fiction readers, otherwise not so much." C-net has coverage, too.

13 of 147 comments (clear)

  1. Ah, sigh by Gewalt · · Score: 4, Funny

    Sadly, my kids think a solar sail is something you put on a wooden ship to power the ion thrusters. Stupid disney and their stupid wooden ships in outer space...

    --
    Modding Trolls +1 inciteful since 1999
    1. Re:Ah, sigh by neokushan · · Score: 5, Funny

      Package a movie with a couple of hunks and babes as well as some explosions and dramatic music, and nobody is going to care about its accuracy.

      Well, except sad bastards like us.

      --
      +1 IDisagreeSoHeMustBeATrollOrAnAstroturferOrAShill
    2. Re:Ah, sigh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Funny, that's how you get from Bajor to Cardassia as well.

  2. What a stupid generalisation! by neokushan · · Score: 3, Funny

    They are well known to science fiction readers, otherwise not so much

    Excuse ME, I'm MORE than aware of what they are and I DON'T read science fiction.
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    Star trek ftw!

    --
    +1 IDisagreeSoHeMustBeATrollOrAnAstroturferOrAShill
  3. Let me guess... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    And in 50 years, the US Post Office will still be using said technology, while FedEx is traversing through worm holes.

    1. Re:Let me guess... by DigiShaman · · Score: 5, Funny

      while FedEx is traversing through worm holes

      Oh great! So FedEx will now tell me that my package was delivered. The bad news: it was delivered to me in an alternate reality. With my signature to prove it no doubt. Never mind the fact that "I" didn't get the damn package.

      --
      Life is not for the lazy.
    2. Re:Let me guess... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Meanwhile, UPS will just launch the damn thing into a black hole and say customer service is 'working on it.'

    3. Re:Let me guess... by canuck57 · · Score: 2, Funny

      while FedEx is traversing through worm holes

      Oh great! So FedEx will now tell me that my package was delivered. The bad news: it was delivered to me in an alternate reality. With my signature to prove it no doubt. Never mind the fact that "I" didn't get the damn package.

      No, it will deliver the package back in the future. Why does everything have to be Trek?

    4. Re:Let me guess... by st1d · · Score: 3, Funny

      Yes, walk outside tomorrow, and get a crapload of packages from yourself from the future, with a note "store these for me, k?" Maybe some UPS discount if they can deliver the package "anytime", cutting down on the number of stops they have to make. You know, saving money and all. Meanwhile, you're getting all these random packages for yourself 20 years from now.

      --
      Microsoft has just released their much anticipated hands-free cordless mouse. Warning, it may hurt a little at first.
    5. Re:Let me guess... by aplusjimages · · Score: 3, Funny

      How do you think your alternate reality self feels? Now he's stuck with the "Hungry Bitches" DVD you ordered.

      --
      Can I bum a sig?
  4. Its the first of its kind. by OzPeter · · Score: 4, Funny
    Yet a previous attempt blew up.

    You use this phrase Its the first of its kind. I do not think you know what it means.

    And yes .. welcome to /. etc etc

    --
    I am Slashdot. Are you Slashdot as well?
  5. Boost laser time by CBob · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yep, we'd best start working on the boost lasers, they'd be handy for the 1st Kzin war too.

  6. my parents by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    My parents were married, you insensitive clod!