Quote:
Originally Posted by renormalised
Solar sails are just a cute way of getting around the solar system. As far as deep space travel goes, forget it...not worth the effort. They'll never get you up to lightspeed (well, actually nothing will, according to SR). What they maybe good for is as emergency propulsion for manned craft, if their main engines fail for some reason. But it'll be a slow boat home.
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I think they are a good way to maintain a speed once attained. The speed of the solar particle is still quite fast. The next project is to include an ion engine which could be used the build up speed quicker than the sails and yet the energy of the sun or the particles could re-fuel the craft.
So for long term travel could be a good way. The only current method for long term fueling is Nuclear power. I am sure if that is strapped to my back for a very long time I would hope it didn't leak on my trip.