Solar sails may become one of the most revolutionary propulsion systems ever developed. Instead of fuel, these spacecraft use ...

China's BlueStar Optical Domain has a strategic vision of building a full-domain wireless optical network ecosystem. Credit: BlueStar Optical Domain HELSINKI — Shanghai-based laser communications ...

For decades, researchers have explored light sails as an alternative. These devices use radiation pressure—the force exerted when light reflects from a surface—to generate thrust. When driven by a ...

Tuskegee researchers build a nanoscale photonic crystal sail that reflects propulsion lasers while staying lightweight and ...

Researchers design scalable nanostructures that selectively reflect propulsion laser light while reducing heat and mass for fuel free interplanetary travel.

Scientists have successfully tested a material design for light sails using photonic crystals that could achieve 20% the speed of light ...

Proxima Centauri, our nearest stellar neighbor, hosts a potentially habitable planet, Proxima B. Reaching it is a colossal challenge, requiring speeds far beyond current chemical rockets. New ...

The International Laser Class Association (ILCA) has announced a redesigned sail for the ILCA 4 dinghy. The ILCA 4 MkII sail will launch commercially in April 2026. The updated design aims to ensure ...

Engineers are developing a concept for interstellar travel using a swarm of 1,000 ultra-light "laser sails." The mission aims to send these sails to Proxima b, an exoplanet 4.25 light-years away, ...