solar sail
noun
: a propulsive device for a spacecraft that consists of a flat material (such as aluminized plastic) designed to receive thrust from solar radiation pressure
Examples of solar sail in a Sentence
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The solar sail mission launched on April 23 on board Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket from New Zealand.
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Passant Rabie / Gizmodo, Quartz, 2 May 2024
But one project stands out from the cohort of fluidic telescopes, pulsed plasma rockets, and quantum-dot solar sails—not only for its underlying science fiction concept, but its comparatively straightforward conceit.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 May 2024
Once unfurled, the solar sail will stretch across 30 feet (9 meters) per side.
—Passant Rabie / Gizmodo, Quartz, 2 May 2024
Any solar sail’s boom system will need to remain stiff enough through harsh temperature fluctuations, as well as durable enough to last through lengthy mission durations.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 24 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for solar sail 
Passant Rabie / Gizmodo, Quartz, 2 May 2024
But one project stands out from the cohort of fluidic telescopes, pulsed plasma rockets, and quantum-dot solar sails—not only for its underlying science fiction concept, but its comparatively straightforward conceit.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 May 2024
Once unfurled, the solar sail will stretch across 30 feet (9 meters) per side.
—Passant Rabie / Gizmodo, Quartz, 2 May 2024
Any solar sail’s boom system will need to remain stiff enough through harsh temperature fluctuations, as well as durable enough to last through lengthy mission durations.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 24 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for solar sail
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'solar sail.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Solar sail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solar%20sail. Accessed 30 Jun. 2024.
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