Ikaros will initially be a short cylindrical shape when it is released into space, when it will extend its sail, which measures 14 metres (46 feet) on each side and 20 metres diagonally.
The sail itself consists of an experimental material thinner than a human hair and equipped with solar cells which will be “reflecting solar radiation back toward the sun. This action causes a microscopic but measurable force on the sail itself, which is thus propelled through space.”
Ikaros’ technology could one day aid us in travelling through space with sunlight as our only fuel. In the meantime, it’s gotta be one of the prettiest, biggest kites I’ve seen—if only it lives up to the rendered image that is. [Space Daily via Fast Company]
Dale
Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 5:23 PMspuy767: Even though it isn’t going TO Venus this is still a good question, as a craft like this isn’t really a versatile system if it’s so limited. Planets don’t sit in a stationary rlative positions however, so it is possible to skim ‘across’ their orbits at certain points instead of needing to travel from one fixed point to another another. Solar sails allow travel in much the same way as wind sails do on water and don’t force the craft to travel in exactly the same direction as the solar radiation.
MrTaco
Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 9:48 PMSo does that mean it can only fly away from the sun, not towards it at all?