ACEIZE Tracking the current state of Science and Technology

"The Finnish invention would use long, positively-charged tethers to ride the solar wind, without the need for any sort of fuel or propellant."

"Two solar panels would power an electron gun that keeps the spacecraft tethers charged, creating propulsion from the similarly charged solar wind pushing against the sail. Researchers are looking into aluminum or copper alloy wires for the tethers."

The current plan is to test this rig using 5 mile long tethers in high Earth Orbit. The test will determine the force of the solar wind. The plan for this Finnish solar sail is to use a 'turbo' mechanism that increases the thrust of the sails. The turbo will use radio frequency electron heating to heat the solar wind particles. This is a theoretical idea at the moment.

If successful, the solar sail idea would provide a less expensive alternative for moving material around the solar system.