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Artwork of laser light-sail starship

Artwork of laser light-sail starship


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Science Photo Library

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Artwork of laser light-sail starship

Laser Light-sail starship. Artists impression of a space vehicle designed to travel to other star systems. This concept is a 1000-km diameter light sail. A powerful laser in orbit around Earth would beam light at the sail. The photon pressure of the laser hitting the sail would accelerate it to about 50% of light speed. About 0.4 light years from its objective, the centre section of the sail would separate and turn around (as seen here). The laser light then would reflect from the main sail to the centre sail, thus slowing down the centre section. The laser power needed is about 43, 000 terawatts, about 40, 000 times the total energy production of Earth today

Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations

Media ID 6427413

© JULIAN BAUM/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Exploration Future Galaxy Interstellar Travel Manned Spaceflight Space Art Space Ship Starship


EDITORS COMMENTS
This artwork showcases a visionary concept of interstellar travel - the laser light-sail starship. With its immense 1000-km diameter light sail, this space vehicle is designed to journey to distant star systems. The artist's impression depicts the awe-inspiring moment when, approximately 0.4 light years away from its destination, the center section of the sail separates and reverses direction. The key to propelling this spacecraft lies in a powerful laser stationed in Earth's orbit. Emitting an intense beam of light towards the sail, it harnesses photon pressure to accelerate the craft up to an astounding 50% of light speed. However, as seen in this illustration, once nearing its objective, a remarkable maneuver occurs: laser light reflects from the main sail onto the center section, effectively slowing it down. To achieve such extraordinary feats requires an unimaginable amount of energy - around 43,000 terawatts! This mind-boggling figure surpasses Earth's current total energy production by a staggering factor of 40,000. As we gaze upon this mesmerizing image filled with hope and curiosity for what lies beyond our galaxy's borders, let us appreciate both the artistic talent that brings these concepts to life and humanity's relentless pursuit of knowledge through exploration. This artwork serves as a reminder that although interstellar travel remains firmly within science fiction for now, our collective imagination continues to push boundaries and inspire future generations on their quest for discovery among the stars.

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