Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site dartvax.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!gamma!epsilon!zeta!sabre!bellcore!decvax!dartvax!chuck
From: chuck@dartvax.UUCP (Chuck Simmons)
Newsgroups: net.space,net.physics
Subject: Re: ultralight probes
Message-ID: <3169@dartvax.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 28-May-85 22:57:37 EDT
Article-I.D.: dartvax.3169
Posted: Tue May 28 22:57:37 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 30-May-85 06:48:02 EDT
References: <5630@utzoo.UUCP> <9883@rochester.UUCP>
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Lines: 22
Xref: watmath net.space:4049 net.physics:2521

> In response to the article on the possibility an ultra-light space probe moved
> by a light sail, has anyone considerred the possibility of building
> a lightsail out of photo-electric material?  I know that thin film
> processes are already well advanced (as shown by the common light
> powered pocket calculator).  I suspect that a light-sail can be made
> out of anything (except neutronium :-) as long as its thin.  

I imagine that aluminum has three big advantages:  (1) aluminum atoms are
very light; (2) aluminum is highly reflective; (3) it is relatively easy
to make relatively thin (and therefore light) sheets of aluminum.

One approach that interests me:  would it be possible to "grow your own"?
Would it be possible to design a "fabric" consisting of carbon or silicon 
atoms with various other kinds of atoms in between.  The result would be 
a molecule (in much the same way that a polymer is a molecule, except in 
two dimensions) a few atoms thick.  A well-designed fabric might contain
many itty-bitty holes, thus decreasing the density even further.

*sigh*  Maybe if I don't think about the problem of making a square sheet
of this fabric measuring a kilometer on a side, it will go away.

-- Chuck