Photonic materials for interstellar solar sailing

Abstract

Solar sails are of great promise for space exploration, affording missions that push the limits of the possible. They enable a variety of novel science missions ranging from ultrafast interstellar travel to imaging the poles of the sun—missions that are beyond the reach of current propulsion technology. Here, we describe requirements and challenges associated with optical materials and photonic designs facing the next generation of solar sails. A technology development roadmap is outlined to guide researchers in pioneering the space faring future.