Is propellant the only way to propagate through the vastness of space (Earth, light)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Is propellant the only way to propagate through the vastness of space?
Is gravitational pull considered a form of propagation?
How does electro-magnetism travel through vacuum like photons? Photons are being projected, but doesnt it need an opposite and equal action for it to shoot out? What is that action?
The hard part is to leave earth's gravitational field. Once in open space, choices are abundant. The only thing needed is a buttload of energy. I, there's the rub. One way is to go slowly and live a very long time. "Methuselah's Children" Heinlein. "Cities in flight" James Blish.
We'll figure it out someday, but not in our lifetime.
Currently we have access to only rockets which are chemical in nature, along with nuclear propulsion which is not feasible. We can use light (photons) and know how to do it but we need to be up in space to do it.
Right now chemical propulsion is the best we can do.
One limitation of a solar sail however is that you can't tack back toward the sun. A sailboat can tack into the wind because it has a keel and a rudder to work against the water. That's not the case with a solar sail space craft, so it can only carry you away from the sun.
However, from what I've read, you could use the solar sail to slow your angular momentum around the sun which would cause you to fall back toward the sun due to its gravitational pull.
Which actually brings me another question, I wrote in the OP. How does gravity, and Magnetism propel itself across space? I thought Magnetism, and electricity need matter to touch each other to transport itself.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.