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Researchers are planning to launch a spacecraft powered by the pressure of sunlight that could be used to stay above the Earth, transmitting vital data on solar storms or polar climate change.

“Solar sailing” has long been a dream for space engineers, who have envisaged craft exploring the depths of the solar system, propelled only by light. Such craft could be lighter to launch and would range farther than craft using conventional fuel. But scientists are now also exploring more realistic applications that could be deployed in the short term, the British Science Festival in Guildford was told yesterday.

Because a solar sailing craft is powered only by light it could be used to stay in orbit that would be impossible for conventional satellites. Once launched into space, the solar spacecraft would unfurl giant sails of reflective material. The particles of light (photons) will then strike the sail and transfer energy to the craft. Although this force is tiny, in the weightless and airless conditions of space, the craft could build up great speeds.

Solar sailing craft would be able to hover above the polar regions, helping the scientists to learn the effects of climate change on the poles. Colin McInnes, a mechanical engineer at the University of Strathclyde, said: “Given the polar region is of great interest to climate change and environmentally monitoring, having an observation point above the poles is of practical interest.”

[Original Source: TimesOnline]