Julia+P.

ASK MS.MARTINEZ IF SOLAR SAILS COULD BE LAUNCHED INTO ORBIT WITH JUST LASER BEAMS IF ATMOSPHERE IS ROUGH Ship and crew support : A description of the space vehicle that will transport your crew to and from your destination. Details must include:  The name of the ship  Method of propulsion with a scientific explanation of how system works  Top speeds  Number of crew members  Life support system / crew support / research facilities

__Solar sails__ __Propulision system__ -no fuel -no engine -energy comes pressure of sunlight -speed from pressure ability to trave to planets -made from malarb plastic -capture phontons from sun -as light reflects off sails gives it force=push -each sail 15 meters long -diameter of full solar sail=10 story building -8 solar sail blaids, can be turned to direct solar sail pressure -force any way you want;add velocity subtract -getting vehicle into space only time engine needed -key to traveling far: angle blades towards sun asbord large amounts of photons gain speed sails unwrap in orbit reflect light from sun creating a force -constanly accelerates over time -top speeds 200,00 mph or 90 km/s -constant pressure from sun -sustanable __CHARACTERISTICS__

> Once launched, the sails are deployed using an inflatable boom system that is triggered by a built-in deployment mechanism.
 * **Large area** - It must collect as much sunlight as possible, because the larger the area, the greater the force of sunlight.
 * **Light weight** - The sail must be thin and have a minimal mass, because the more mass, the less acceleration that sunlight imparts to the sail.
 * **Durable and temperature resistant** - It must withstand the temperature changes, charged particles and micrometeoroid hazards of outer space.
 * **Square sail**
 * - requires booms to support the sail material
 * **Heliogyro sail** - bladed like a helicopter, the sail must be rotated for stability
 * **Disc sail** - circular sail that must be controlled by moving the center of mass relative to the center of pressure
 * Cosmos-1 has a solar sail that is a cross between a square sail and a heliogyro sail. It is a rounded solar sail that is divided into eight triangular blades with inflatable booms for support. The sail does not have to be rotated for stability.
 * With just sunlight as power, a __[|solar sail] __ would never be launched directly from the ground. A second spacecraft is needed to launch the solar sail, which would then be deployed in space. Another possible way to launch a solar sail would be with microwave or __[|laser] __ beams provided by a satellite or other spacecraft. These energy beams could be directed at the sail to launch it into space and provide a secondary power source during its journey. In one experiment at NASA's __[|Jet Propulsion Laboratory] __(JPL), sails were driven to liftoff using microwave beams, while laser beams were used to push the sail forward.

The speed of our solar sails is directly related in position to the sun.

For our journey, the propulsion system used on our ship are Solar sails.This technology is relatively new; the idea being thought of in the 1970s and actually tested in 2011. The science behind them is fascinating in my opinion. Solar sails are massive sheets of thin, metal-coated, durable plastics made from Kapton or Mylar. The solar sail materials that we are using are made of aluminum-coated Mylar, which has a thickness of .0002 inches. To put it in perspective ordinary Saran Wrap is approximately .001 inches. The aluminum-coated Mylar will absorb photons from light. Are main source of light is the sun.The energy used to propel our ship forward is from the pressure of light/sunlight.This is because as light reflects off the sails it produces a force which translate into a push. The great thing about solar sails is that they are sustainable since there is a constant pressure from the sun pushing the solar sails forward. There are 8 individual solar blades which can be turned to direct solar sail pressure. Because you can direct the force in any direction you want there is a possibility to add or subtract velocity. One reason why we are using Solar sails is because no fuel or engines are needed. This drastically lowers the weight of our ship allowing it to travel for long periods of time. It is also an eco-friendly energy source which is beneficial in these times. P.S Our crew is very excited to be using solar sails. We're sailing space!!!

Today is launch day! Unlike chemical rockets, our solar sail ship will not require a rocket or engine to launch. Instead, laser beams will be directed from a satellite, in orbit, onto the solar sails. In addition, microwaves will also be directed at the sails to give it an extra boost (Ha Ha get it booster rocket) into space. To be honest I am nervous. I know I have trained for this moment for seven years, but I still have anxiety at the thought of laser beams. P.S Our launch site is the International Space Airport(a.k.a Spaceport America) in literally the middle of nowhere New Mexico. Here's some pictures of the beautiful scenery and the

Ciao, avid blogger readers, we are finally in space!! After years of preparation, Angelica, Andrew, Austin and I have finally reached the wondrous, void of space. Everyone is doing fine although little Andrew is missing his teddy bear dearly. I can now officially confirm the name of our ship (NASA sure is paranoid about releasing information these days) is Stella Luna meaning star moon in Italian. We can also now officially confirm Stella Luna's top speeds: 200,000 mph or 90 KM/s. This is of course and educated guess since Stella Luna's speed is in direct relation ship to the sun. Depending on the angle of the sun in relationship to the solar sails, the speed could be a bit higher or lower than 200,000 mph. On board we have our four crew members Engineer Austin S., Data Collector Angelica A., Mission outcome director Andrew L. and myself Dr. Julia P. I am in charge of the health and well being of the crew members as well as life support. P.S There has been no bickering YET but I assure you there will be. All of us are currently to happy and amazed to fight. On a lighter note the view is absolutely breathtaking!

Bibliograpy http://www.howstuffworks.com/solarsail.htm Nasa.gov pbs.org

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