/sci/ - Science & Math

>>15233736
No, e-sails can cruise to Mercury and back. Photon sails are obsolete.

>>15208164
E-sails have the advantage that the thrust vector can be varied in a way that current p-m sails cannot
>by inclining the sail the thrust direction can be modified by up to ∼ 30o. This makes it possible to spiral inward or outward in the solar system by tilting the sail in the appropriate direction to decrease or increase the heliocentric orbital speed, respectively. Thus, even though the radial component of the E-sail thrust vector is always positive, one can still use the system also to tack towards the sun.

>>15163794
>The only thing we'd still need assists for is getting to Mercury, probably.
Nope, electric sails dont need them (dunno abt plasma magnets)
> the E-sail could take a probe to Mercury rendezvous (high planetary orbit) in less than one year with no gravity assists