First page Back Continue Last page Summary Text
Notes:
Unfortunately, sails this light must also be very thin. And that leads to a host of other problems. The deployment of ultrathin foils without tearing or crumpling is a major issue. Then there are the environmental problems of UV and particle radiation in space that are known to convert plastic into so much brittle parchment, much like the rear window of convertibles. NASA has released the Gossamer AO requesting ideas for new sail materials that might overcome some of these drawbacks, but success is not at all certain.