Electric sails are potentially more effective than light sails near most stars

摘要

Electric sails are propulsion systems that generate momentum via the deflection of stellar wind particles through electric forces. Here, we investigate the relative merits of electric sails and light sails driven by stellar radiation pressure for F-, G-, K- and M-type stellar systems. We show that electric sails originating near M-dwarfs could attain terminal speeds of similar to 500 km/s for minimal payload masses. In contrast, light sails are typically rendered ineffective for late-type M-dwarfs because the radiation pressure is not sufficiently high to overcome the gravitational acceleration. Our analysis indicates that electric sails are better propulsion systems for interplanetary travel than light sails in proximity to most stars. We also delineate a method by which repeated encounters with stars might cumulatively boost the speeds of light sails to greater than or similar to 0.1 c, thereby making them more suitable for interstellar travel. This strategy can be effectuated by reaching similar to 10(5) stars over the span of similar to 10 Myr.