SCI/TECH: Japan Introduces the Solar Sail

Scientists are quickly pouring over ways to develop technology that would allow spaceships to travel to distant planets. While nuclear fusion engines are often looked to as the solution to this problem, Japan has developed a new technology using solar sails that may allow us to travel to Mars and beyond sooner than anyone thought.



Combined with the technology reported on by kegs in this ATSNN report, www.abovetopsecret.com... , a mission to reach distant stars could possibly launch within the next 40 years.

Once a spacecraft went too far, the sun could no longer make a definite impact on the sails, so scientists are developing a laser system to continue to propulsion.

The US is no longer the dominate leader in new space technology. That is obvious from the fact that so many other countries are making breakthroughs of this nature other than the United States.

[edit on 8/12/2004 by lockheed]

[edit on 12-8-2004 by John bull 1]

Lock, I seen a thread like this a couple of days ago, so this might be a repeat.

Ok, thanks for the heads up SC.

I think I need to browse ATS more before I make new posts :-p

Here is is:

www.abovetopsecret.com...

ed: added post I neglected to see earlier



[edit on 8/12/2004 by lockheed]

well I like to know when they plan to test speed.
oh yeah fusion is still in its first stages and
now they first try to use fision. example Jimo / prometheus.

yeah ..that's great if you are traveling away from the sun...but you are screwed when you want to return.