Zero Gravity Graphene - Solar Sails (VIDEO)

Graphene Flagship

Caption

The Graphene Flagship's #ZeroGGraphene experiments show graphene's promise for space applications! Graphene is incredibly light - a key feature needed in solar sails which propel objects in space using light pressure. GrapheneX tested graphene solar sails using lasers in microgravity, by dropping the experiment 146 m in a special capsule. GrapheneX are a team of students from TU Delft (Netherlands), working under ESA Education's Drop Your Thesis! programme, with support from TU Delft Space Institute. The experiment will be performed at the ZARM Drop Tower in Bremen, Germany.

Credit

Graphene Flagship

Usage Restrictions

None

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.