SMRTR Science & EngineeringJan 31, 2025Interesting Engineering

Lightsail propulsion could enable interstellar travel at speeds never before imagined

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Researchers at Caltech have developed a miniature lightsail to study materials for potential interstellar travel. The 50-nanometer-thick silicon nitride sail allows scientists to measure laser-induced forces and movements with picometer precision, bringing us closer to realizing spacecraft propelled by light pressure.

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