“In order to advance solar sailing, proponents need to step back from their enthusiasm which can give the mistaken impression that it is an elegant idea which should be funded for the sake of aesthetics. A cold look at the strengths and weaknesses of the technology is required in order to build a convincing case for support. In particular, it is the weaknesses of solar sailing, either real of perceived, which need to be addressed. While the obvious advantage of potentially unlimited velocity change is perhaps the greatest benefit, it is useless if the first operational solar sails fail to deploy. Historical problems with the deployment of even modest space structures can unfortunately taint solar sailing by association. Similarly, competition from solar-electric propulsion is still a threat, although the new institutional approach to advanced technologies provides a welcome opportunity for exploitation. Given these factors, it seems that what is required is a small, low-cost and low-risk solar sail mission for which there is either no feasible alternative form of propulsion or no alternative option of comparable cost. It is also a key requirement that there is an absolutely compelling mission application which will demand the development of solar sail technology to flight status. If these criteria are met, then mission planners and their political masters will be cornered into developing solar sail technology and so bring to fruition the dreams of Tsander, Tsiolkovsky and many others.”
— Colin McInnes, Solar Sailing: Technology, Dynamics and Mission Applications (Chichester, UK: Springer/Praxis (1999), p. 11.
Centauri Dreams note: Robert Forward called Colin McInnes’ book “…the reference book on solar sailing.” And that it certainly is, with in-depth studies of various mission scenarios, orbital dynamics, sail configurations, performance metrics and an exhaustive background analysis of how sails work. The only down side is that few copies were printed, and those that are available are expensive (I can find only one copy on Amazon, and it runs over $70 — I paid almost $100 for mine two years ago). But if you don’t want to spend so much, find a good engineering library and check this one out. McInnes is a fine writer with a gift for clarity coupled with the insights of a seasoned aerospace engineer. He is now a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde.
