NASA news: Caltech nanomaterial ‘speeds spacecraft 134,000,000 mph’

/pitbulldogbreed.com ^ | 09/09/2018

[BenLurkin]

Before man can cross the vast distances of space, the designs of spacecraft’s sails will be key – striking a delicate balance between mass, strength in addition to reflectivity.

Working with NASA, California Institute of Technology (Caltech) scientists have created the fresh material out of silicon in addition to its oxide, silica.

The team has figured out that will super-thin structures made of This specific composite can transform infrared light waves into a momentum that will would likely accelerate a probe to 134,000,000 mph.

Speeds like This specific can carry a little probe to our closest stellar neighbours, a huddle of stars called Proxima centauri, within decades rather than millennia.

[ifinnegan]

“Speeds like This specific can carry...”

Title is incoherent, too.

[FrankR]

Are these materials made from “dilythium crystals”?

How about brakes; what’s the manual give as the “stopping distance” at such speeds?

“Warp two”, here we come.

[BenLurkin]

Not to worry. Neither yo or I will live long enough to see this thing in action.

[Flash Bazbeaux]

The team has figured out that will super-thin structures made of This specific composite can transform infrared light waves into a momentum that will would likely accelerate a probe to 134,000,000 mph.

I wouldn’t want to hit a deer at that speed.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

I’m always amazed how some blog can thoroughly mangle the original content.

Check out the original at The Daily Star Sunday:
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/728251/nasa-space-light-speed-caltech-solar-sail-nanomaterial-silica-silicon-technology

[fuente]

So light powered light(wind)mills are next on the agenda...photo driven turbines. OK, I wait and see on this topic.

[fieldmarshaldj]

*ping*

Just need to find some spice and we can fold space.

[PIF]

37222.22 mps or 0.1998161 of the speed of light (c)

[Seruzawa]

Yep. 21 years to get to Centauri. Still too slow.

[hadaclueonce]

All they need is one more grant.
So close, for only $19.00 a month you too can sponsor our future.

[TChad]

Comment at link:

"How about they figure out how to STOP going 134,000,000 mph?"

[WKUHilltopper]

Isn’t Plaid Speed faster?

[BenLurkin]

It’s going to be a small payload, but probably enough to bring cameras and antennas.

Pics will be coming back at the speed of light, may be the plan.

[Telepathic Intruder]

Some of the worst grammar I’ve ever read.

[SunkenCiv]

It would be nice to get a probe over there in time to record the destruction of the star from close up. :^) Thanks fieldmarshaldj , and BenLurkin for the topic. Pinging the APoD list for good measure. :^)

• Proxima Centauri just released a flare so powerful it was visible to the unaided eye [April 12, 2018]
• Proxima Centauri's no good, very bad day [February 26, 2018]

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[SunkenCiv]

A Habitable Planet Orbiting Nearest Star Proxima Centauri Found

[mountainlion]

I wouldn’t want to hit a deer at that speed....

I think a speck of dust would total it out.

[SunkenCiv]

We'll send a muzzie kid with an instamatic.

BTW, nomb, but time to update that last line of your profile. :^)

[Godebert]

20% the speed of light is pretty damn fast.