Solar Sails and Other Spacecraft Propulsion

In this activity, students consider why human travel outside of the solar system is currently unrealistic. By starting with current and proposed missions, students calculate how long it would take each mission to get to the next nearest stellar system—Alpha Centauri. They then learn the basics of ion thrusters, traditional rockets, and solar sails. Communication delays are also covered. Students then reflect on why space travel outside of our solar system is a difficult goal to attain.