Fast Solar Sailing

Abstract

Once in a great while, a field of science or engineering will experience a revolution. I am not talking about the slow, methodical advancement of science—increasing our state of knowledge or engineering state-of-the-art by research, development, peer-review and publication. I am talking about the movement of a great idea from the realm of theory to practice and subsequently changing the way we do things, enabling new capabilities, and allowing future generations to look back and wonder how it could have ever been otherwise. I personally believe we are at that point in our exploration of space and the use of the fast solar sailing techniques discussed in this monograph may just enable us to break out of our snail’s pace exploration of the inner solar system and enable us to take those first steps toward true interstellar exploration. I think this monograph is important for many reasons. First, and foremost, and I say this because I work with traditionally trained aerospace engineers at one of the world’s premier engineering organizations, fast solar sailing should become part of the standard education ‘toolbox’ of the next generation of aerospace engineers. As an advanced propulsion technology, Solar sails are now an engineering reality. Having a textbook/monograph available and in the modern engineering classroom will help educate this next generation as regards what is possible beyond traditional rockets. It is a step toward convincing them that solar sails are not just a scientific curiosity but a capability that they can use in tomorrow’s deep space systems. Secondly, fast solar sails are truly enabling. Educating those currently working in the field of space exploration as to their capabilities must begin now and not wait on the next generation. As NASA’s propulsion lead for the early 2000s redefinition of the Interstellar Probe mission concept, it became apparent that there are very few viable propulsion technologies that will enable us to send a probe to the outermost portions of the solar system (200–250 AU) within the professional lifetime of the team that might develop such a system. If we are going to seriously study the outer solar system then we have to be able to get there and return data in reasonable periods of time. Granted, we are still getting some data from the venerable Voyager spacecraft some 35+ years after they were launched. I need to point out that we are now decades beyond their design life. Designing a spacecraft to provide operational data for 35–50 years is not an easy task and will be inherently risky, and expensive, for the foreseeable future. There are simply too many things that can go wrong over decades of operation in the space environment. Reducing trip times is essential and fast solar sailing is, in my opinion, the only technically viable and affordable approach open to us for truly deep space exploration. Lastly, the monograph gathers into one place the fundamental astrodynamic underpinnings of fast solar sailing to serve as a starting point for those in or entering the field to make that next level of progress (revolution!) in their theoretical and practical application. Whether the interest is in solar photon sails or electric sails riding the solar wind, this monograph should become THE source for beginning serious study. I had the privilege of working with Giovanni on the Interstellar Probe mission concept study, as a colleague on the scientific committee for a series of symposia dealing with deep space flight, and as a co-author of a popular science book about solar sailing. He has a passion for solar sailing and he has made many pioneering contributions to the field in his career. This, his latest, will help educate and inspire those who follow to build upon the foundation he has helped create and take us to the stars.