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Extreme Metamaterial Solar Sails for Breakthrough Space Exploration NIAC Phase II Final ReportThe past 60 years of space exploration have led to fascinating discoveries across many different branches of science and technology. However, further progress requires new revolutionary approaches to in-space propulsion for fast transit across the solar system and beyond. Here, we describe the concept of extreme solar sailing, in which we show by making use of a powered slingshot at extreme proximity to the surface of the sun, <5 solar radii, solar sails can be accelerated to >60 AU/yr (>300 km/s or 0.1% speed of light). We discuss associated materials challenges, environmental issues, sailcraft architecture and controls. We further analyze two mission concepts – Fast Transit Interstellar Probe and a precursor Corona-Net mission. We show that with proper technology development, such extreme solar sailing is feasible in the near term and can significantly transform the way space is explored today. If available, such solar sailing technology would allow fast flight through the solar system and at arbitrary inclinations to the plane of the ecliptic. A flight to Jupiter would take 5 months, 10 months to Neptune, Voyager 1 will be surpassed in 2.5 years, and 1000 AU reached in 17 years.
Document ID
20250008150
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Contractor or Grantee Report
Authors
Artur Davoyan
(University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, United States)
Henry Helvajian
(The Aerospace Corporation El Segundo, United States)
Les Johnson
(Marshall Space Flight Center Redstone Arsenal, United States)
Marko Velli
(University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, United States)
Date Acquired
August 7, 2025
Publication Date
December 10, 2024
Subject Category
Lunar and Planetary Science and Exploration
Spacecraft Propulsion and Power
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: 80NSSC21K0954
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Use by or on behalf of the US Gov. Permitted.
Technical Review
NASA Peer Committee
Keywords
NIAC Phase II
Corona-Net
Fast Transit Interstellar Probe
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