Analysis of Using the Light Pressure Effect to Drive Spacecraft under Complex Conditions

Abstract

Light pressure driving has attracted widespread attention due to its unique physical properties and potential in various scientific and technological fields. Due to the limitations of current technology and material levels, achieving a macro-level light pressure-driven approach in the short term is unrealistic. A wide range of research areas for light-pressure driving are focused on the micro level and suitable light-pressure materials. Under the current theoretical framework, a light pressure-driven spacecraft with suitable light sail materials is a highly competitive alternative for interstellar navigation. This article mainly simulates the process of light pressure-driven spacecraft accelerating to sub-light speed through laser irradiation on the Earth’s surface and decelerating the returning spacecraft. The article comprehensively considered factors such as laser frequency, sail size, and spacecraft mass during the simulation process and provided simulation results under appropriate conditions. Due to the significant relativistic effect of this process, this paper also considered the red shift and blue shift effects of relativistic light in the simulation process.