Science fiction may become fact: Cosmos 1 launches tomorrow
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Mon, 20 Jun 2005 19:02:00 GMT |
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Sunil Vyas |
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PASADENA: The sci-fi notion of a solar-light propelled spacecraft will take its first step towards turning into reality on Tuesday. A private group of space enthusiasts - the Planetary Society, will launch Cosmos 1, a spacecraft powered only by the light reflected off an array of mylar sails.
The driving force behind this experiment is Ann Druyan - the widow of science fiction writer Carl Sagan whose fan following spans at least three generations. Druyan heads Cosmos Studios which has funded the mission. With tomorrow’s launch Duryan will see her famous husband’s concept being tried out.
The craft will have a thrust just one-ten-thousandth as powerful as gravity, so speed is ruled out. But after it gets into orbit and its mylar sails are unfurled and adjusted to catch the sun’s rays it would then pick up speed and be directed towards an outer orbit and eventually towards the outer reaches of the galaxy.
If all goes well, and the spacecraft progresses as hoped, it could radically change the economics of government space agencies which are known to mount multi-billion dollar space programs. This is the first time any organization has tried to see if a low budget space program works. (This one cost $4 million, a shoe-string budget by any yardstick.)
The craft will operate on the theory that the windmill-like blades will catch streams of photons from the sun’s rays. Although photons have no mass, each carries a tiny amount of energy that would be transferred to the spacecraft; the collective energy of the photons would propel the craft forward in the friction-less environment of space.
Interestingly, the spacecraft’s launch will be equally unique: it will ride a converted Volna intercontinental ballistic missile, a weapon of mass destruction of the kind used during the Soviet regime. The missile/spacecraft will be launched from a submerged Russian submarine in the Barent Sea (north Scandinavia).
Cosmos 1 will be eagerly watched not only by government agencies like NASA but also by space enthusiasts the world over. It will be visible from the earth’s surface. For instructions on observing the spacecraft you may log on to the site of the Planetary Society: planetary.org/solarsail/watch/guide.html
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Solar Sails
By:
Raymond Schmidt ,
Tue, 21 Jun 2005 19:05:50 GMT |
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The sun light will accelerate the thin reflective aluminum shields.
Crystals directed into the sunlight and controlled emit heat that should assist in acceleration
Crystals can be made from liquid obtained in space thereby requiring no extra weight for the initial launch.
These crystals can be collected by way of a vacuum much like a vacuum cleaner or a water pump.
The excess thrust or waste product can be channeled through tubs to further accelerate the craft.
The theory is that the combination of the three should cause an exponential acceleration.
Try it you’ll like it.
Ray
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...Countdown:
By:
Obliquity of the Ecliptic ,
Tue, 21 Jun 2005 14:18:00 GMT |
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Countdown:
www.solarsail.org
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launching time
By:
lau man kit ,
Tue, 21 Jun 2005 13:29:43 GMT |
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urgent
please tell me the launching time of cosmos 1
on gmt
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This
By:
gavin ,
Tue, 21 Jun 2005 03:23:57 GMT |
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Arlin
If you so smart why dont you build a better one you nutcase.
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How about this...
By:
A Dead Cat ,
Tue, 21 Jun 2005 01:46:01 GMT |
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... superhero, lord of the realm, savior of humanity, king of the universe - the one, the only, Carl "THE MAN" Sagan!!!!! Woooo HOOOO!!!!!!
Better?
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Cosmos 1
By:
Captain Kidd ,
Mon, 20 Jun 2005 21:11:16 GMT |
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Will I be able to power my interstellar pirate ship with one of these sails?
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Cosmos I
By:
Roberto Reno ,
Mon, 20 Jun 2005 21:06:59 GMT |
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Very interesting, but this thing isn't going to win any drag races. I can imagine it getting the job done, eventually, but the rate of acceleration will probably be measured in meters per millenia.
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photon Sail
By:
Arlin ( ED ) Raney ,
Mon, 20 Jun 2005 20:42:11 GMT |
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A start, that may very well work, however I believe the photon is solid matter with energy and can do more in that weighty context.
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Cosmos I
By:
Roland Ernst-Meyer ,
Mon, 20 Jun 2005 20:39:58 GMT |
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This is wonderful news! Finally, a sensible alternative to super-rockets. I can not wait to see it up there.
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cosmos 1
By:
edward lasher ,
Mon, 20 Jun 2005 20:35:41 GMT |
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thanks! great to have such easy access to this info.
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will making holes in the sky creat pollor ice caps?
By:
dcounsoulof4billion ,
Mon, 20 Jun 2005 19:57:34 GMT |
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or change orbits? how many buckets of bolts have to fall from the sky before the ideas of the few
yeal to the counsel of many.
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Cosmos I
By:
Melissa Friedman ,
Mon, 20 Jun 2005 19:37:15 GMT |
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Fantastic! Principles of Physics applied to spaceflight.
Enjoy!
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Cosmos 1
By:
Bob Anderson ,
Mon, 20 Jun 2005 19:31:53 GMT |
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Is this the best you could say about Carl Sagan?
"...science fiction writer Carl Sagan ..."
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