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Re: Radiation Pressure



John DaCorte wrote:

What causes radiation pressure? I have read that this could be used to
power interstellar spaceships. If this is true how would the ships
control their direction? Would it be possible to orient a large "sail" so
that you could steer in any direction regardless of how strong
the radiation pressure from a variety of stars? Thanks in advance for any
insight.

John


Arther C. Clarke wrote a short story on this subject. In the introduction or
epilogue he describes how it works and there is a group of people that were formed
to support this as a possible way to reach the stars.
This site has information about solar sails.

http://www.ec-lille.fr/~u3p/
--
Richard Goode
Physics Teacher
Porterville High School

"Man does not cease to play because he grows old;
Man grows old because he ceases to play."