Innovative Approach to Interstellar Travel with Torqued Accelerator using Radiation from the Sun (TARS)
By
virgildotcodes
Crusty in the right places. Worth the chew.
Summary
The Torqued Accelerator using Radiation from the Sun (TARS) proposes a novel approach to interstellar travel by storing solar energy as rotational kinetic energy to propel a microprobe beyond the solar system. It utilizes two thin surfaces with contrasting albedos that gradually spin up over weeks to achieve interstellar velocities.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe proposed Torqued Accelerator using Radiation from the Sun (TARS) consists of two thin surfaces with contrasting albedos that gradually spins up over weeks to months while in a sub-Keplerian 'quasite' orbit around the Sun.
Whilst there is no theoretical limit to the achievable speeds, practical designs grow exponentially in size as velocity targets increase, making interstellar flight feasible but relativistic speeds implausible.
TARS is an attractive light sail technology when high-powered directed energy systems are impractical, offering a potentially low-cost solution for deploying small, sub-relativistic interstellar probes.
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