Torqued Accelerator using Radiation from the Sun (TARS) for Interstellar Payloads
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Abstract:The concept of exploring space using solar power is energetically appealing, but interstellar solar sails typically require extremely low areal densities (~0.8 g/m^2). This work explores an alternative approach: storing solar energy as rotational kinetic energy, which is later released to propel a microprobe beyond the solar system. The proposed Torqued Accelerator using Radiation from the Sun (TARS) consists of two thin surfaces with contrasting albedos tha...
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