Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Science

Near-relativistic swarm could image Proxima b at 20-meter resolution and scan for biosignatures, paper says

Laser sail propulsion is an idea that won't go away. By aiming powerful Earth-based lasers at tiny spacecraft with light sails, tiny spacecraft can be accelerated to near-relativistic speeds without carrying fuel or an energy source, and without carrying any kind of propulsion system at all. There a...

Near-relativistic swarm could image Proxima b at 20-meter resolution and scan for biosignatures, paper says
Image: Phys.org
Laser sail propulsion is an idea that won't go away. By aiming powerful Earth-based lasers at tiny spacecraft with light sails, tiny spacecraft can be accelerated to near-relativistic speeds without carrying fuel or an energy source, and without carrying any kind of propulsion system at all. There are clear advantages to this idea, if it can be implemented.

Originally published at Phys.org

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