Instructions: Assume you are asked to develop an additional form of propulsion for NASA's next trip out of our Solar System. You're asked to come up with a propulsion method that is non-combustible and can be made very light weight as to reduce payload and cost of getting the shuttle off Earth. Your supervisor recommends you start your search looking at a solar sail type apparatus. As we've recently learned about in class electromagnetic waves transfer energy but to not need a medium to propagate though. This is helpful knowledge when considering there's electromagnetic radiation in the vacuum of space.
Assignment: Using the evacuated lightbulb and a laser pointer determine the best type of material that your sail should be made out of. What other considerations need to be considered? You'll likely find it helpful to read the Radiation Pressure section (31-9 pg 828) in the textbook, You will be responsible of putting together a 1 page proposal advertisement for your supervisor of how you're going to design your sail. You should include things like, type of material (important properties) and any other relevant design aspects. You should also include a justification of why you choose the properties you did and why they will give you the best propulsion.