Slashdot Mirror
Japan Successfully Deploys First Solar Sail In Space
An anonymous reader writes "This morning the Japanese space agency, JAXA, successfully unfurled a solar sail in space for the first time. Solar sails offer the best hope for deep space exploration because they eliminate the need to carry fuel. The Japanese spacecraft IKAROS created centripetal force by spinning, allowing it to launch the 0.0003-inch-thick sail. While deployment is a challenge in a zero-gravity environment, spacecraft — unlike airplanes — don't have to contend with drag, so with each photon that hits the sail helps the spacecraft gather speed."
We're kind of like that pathetic ex High School jock that's trying to relive his glory days.
But we threw 4 touchdowns in one game, man. IN ONE GAME!
Obligatory xkcd:
http://xkcd.com/123/
Lithobraking is an ingenious term for "fuck it, we'll just crash into the planet".
And now we sell shoes, Peg.