Nanotechnology Now

Our NanoNews Digest Sponsors

Home > News > Use stars’ own light to park tiny spacecraft at an exoplanet

February 1st, 2017

Use stars’ own light to park tiny spacecraft at an exoplanet

Abstract:
However, lasers fired from Earth can accelerate ultra-light solar sails made from graphene to around 20 per cent of the speed of light within a few minutes. That means an interstellar probe could reach the Alpha Centauri system – including the Earth-mass planet orbiting its companion star, Proxima Centauri – just 20 years after launch.

Source:
newscientist.com

Bookmark:

Related News Press

News and information

Decoding hydrogen‑bond network of electrolyte for cryogenic durable aqueous zinc‑ion batteries January 30th, 2026

COF scaffold membrane with gate‑lane nanostructure for efficient Li+/Mg2+ separation January 30th, 2026

Breathing new life into nanotubes for a cooler planet:Researchers at Skoltech discover a simple, single-step heat treatment that nearly doubles the CO2-trapping power of carbon nanotubes January 30th, 2026

New light-based nanotechnology could enable more precise, less harmful cancer treatment: The approach offers a potential alternative to chemotherapy and radiation by using light and heat to target cancer cells. January 30th, 2026

Graphene/ Graphite

Electrifying results shed light on graphene foam as a potential material for lab grown cartilage June 6th, 2025

UCF researcher discovers new technique for infrared “color” detection and imaging: The new specialized tunable detection and imaging technique for infrared photons surpasses present technology and may be a cost-effective method of capturing thermal imaging or night vision, medica December 13th, 2024

Breakthrough in proton barrier films using pore-free graphene oxide: Kumamoto University researchers achieve new milestone in advanced coating technologies September 13th, 2024

A 2D device for quantum cooling:EPFL engineers have created a device that can efficiently convert heat into electrical voltage at temperatures lower than that of outer space. The innovation could help overcome a significant obstacle to the advancement of quantum computing technol July 5th, 2024

Possible Futures

Decoding hydrogen‑bond network of electrolyte for cryogenic durable aqueous zinc‑ion batteries January 30th, 2026

COF scaffold membrane with gate‑lane nanostructure for efficient Li+/Mg2+ separation January 30th, 2026

Breathing new life into nanotubes for a cooler planet:Researchers at Skoltech discover a simple, single-step heat treatment that nearly doubles the CO2-trapping power of carbon nanotubes January 30th, 2026

New light-based nanotechnology could enable more precise, less harmful cancer treatment: The approach offers a potential alternative to chemotherapy and radiation by using light and heat to target cancer cells. January 30th, 2026

Interviews/Book Reviews/Essays/Reports/Podcasts/Journals/White papers/Posters

Metasurfaces smooth light to boost magnetic sensing precision January 30th, 2026

COF scaffold membrane with gate‑lane nanostructure for efficient Li+/Mg2+ separation January 30th, 2026

Breathing new life into nanotubes for a cooler planet:Researchers at Skoltech discover a simple, single-step heat treatment that nearly doubles the CO2-trapping power of carbon nanotubes January 30th, 2026

New light-based nanotechnology could enable more precise, less harmful cancer treatment: The approach offers a potential alternative to chemotherapy and radiation by using light and heat to target cancer cells. January 30th, 2026

Aerospace/Space

Decoding hydrogen‑bond network of electrolyte for cryogenic durable aqueous zinc‑ion batteries January 30th, 2026

ICFO researchers overcome long-standing bottleneck in single photon detection with twisted 2D materials August 8th, 2025

Onion-like nanoparticles found in aircraft exhaust May 14th, 2025

Quantum sensors tested for next-generation particle physics experiments: New research shows that the specialized sensors can detect particles more precisely April 25th, 2025

	The latest news from around the world, FREE

Premium Products
	Only the news you want to read!  Learn More
	Full-service, expert consulting  Learn More

Nanotechnology Now Featured Books

© Copyright 1999-2023 7th Wave, Inc. All Rights Reserved

PRIVACY POLICY :: CONTACT US :: STATS :: SITE MAP :: ADVERTISE