Slashdot Mirror
Ikaros Spacecraft Successfully Propelled In Space
An anonymous reader writes "Japan's IKAROS spacecraft has already successfully deployed the first solar sail in space, but today it made the only first that really matters: it successfully captured the sun's rays with its 3,000-square-foot sail and used the energy to speed its way through space. Each photon of light exerts 0.0002 pounds of pressure on the 3,000-square-foot sail, and the steady stream of solar exposure has succeeded in propelling the nearly 700-pound drone."
Someone should ask the writers why they can stand outside on a summer's day and no be pounded into the pavement.
"Each photon of light exerts 0.0002 pounds of pressure" I was knocked over when I read that!
"Japan's IKAROS spacecraft has already successfully deployed the first solar sail in space, but today it made the only first that really matters: it successfully captured the sun's rays with its 278.709 square meter-sail and used the energy to speed its way through space. Each photon of light exerts 0.090718474 grams of pressure on the 278.709 square meter-sail, and the steady stream of solar exposure has succeeded in propelling the nearly 317.514659 kilogram-drone."
Better?
No...thank the Holy Google. I am merely an Earthly conduit.
Euros are soooooo much more useful
That's why I stay indoors.
Doesn't it make you feel good to know that our freedoms are protected by politicans, lawyers and journalists.
You must be new here...
Huh.
So you CAN tack in space...!
We've begun implementing Microsoft's latest "developer stack" at work. Now every time someone refers to "TFS", I think "what, Slashdot is on Team Foundation Server too?" Great. Thanks Microsoft.
I feel fantastic, and I'm still alive.
Someone should ask the writers why they can stand outside on a summer's day and no be pounded into the pavement.
They are not pounded into the ground because reflected light from the pavement pounds back with an upward force.
I would ask them, but I'm currently being pounded into the pavement. I have to wait until the sun sets...
We'll just save that for the dupe.
Go ahead and joke all you want, I'm not coming out of the basement until it's proven that sunlight won't pound you into the pavement.