High performance solar sails and related reflecting devices

Abstract

High performance solar sails are light tension structures bearing space-manufactured, thin-film reflecting elements. They offer thrust-to-mass ratios 20 to 80 times those of proposed deployable sails. Development costs and risks appear modest. The low cost expected for sail production promises to make these sails more cost-effective than solar electric propulsion for most missions of interest. Applications to near-Earth orbital transfers, deep space scientific missions (some unique), and non-terrestrial resource recovery are examined and found attractive. In the latter application, sails permit recovery of asteroidal resources with a very low initial investment. The promise of high performance, low cost, and great versatility recommend this system for further study.