> > shouldn't iy have like a laser beam pushing it along? - there was a
> > cartoon i saw years ago with this..
>
> Solar sails are supposed to operate by using the solar wind, no laser is
> needed, and you would need an extremely powerful laser to have any
> effect anyway. I have read about another laser propulsion technology
> being developed, it uses a very powerful ground laser and a disk-shaped
> projectile. However, it relies on an atmosphere, and would be pretty
> much useless in space.

of course!, but dont forget, this was a cartoon a saw when i was very small,
and it looked really cool, and thats what were after here most of the time -
if i remember rightly the laser hit the back of the hull, and then lit the
sails up, with a few other beams here and there for effect..- as i say
looked cool :)

i have seen (on disc chan) that laser propulsion thing you mention, its a
left over starwars laser blasting (short pulses) the underside of what looks
like an over expensive spinning top.

Rick

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