John Smith wrote:

way...
(no Virginia, that is not a vacuum inside the radiometer, just high
altitude - and yes there is no Santa Claus - now come over here and
sit on my lap)

denny


Really? So, someone should tell the engineers who have proposed the
"solar sail?" A massive silvered mylar sail which would be unfolded in
space and sail spacecraft on the "solar winds", photons reflected
mass--actually.

You guys missed your calling ... you could have been "fact debunkers!"


I'm no expert (although play one on TV), but I thought that the
process at work was reflection of the photon, which shows a measurable
doppler shift. The doppler shift lowers it's wavelength. The wavelength
increases, and energy decreases. That energy has to go somewhere, and
it goes into the sail and takes the spacecraft or whatever is attached
along for the ride. So it really isn't a mass issue - although it is
possible that the solar wind which does have mass and may contribute
some small push on the sail. But that is another issue.Photon push is a
radiation pressure energy transfer mechanism.

- 73 de Mike KB3EIA -