Les Johnson, NASA's principal investigator behind the "Solar Cruiser" concept, states that under the right circumstances, solar sails can propel spacecraft to higher speeds than any other propulsion system.
Johnson explains the conditions necessary for solar sails to be effective: a large, ultra-thin, and lightweight sail on a small spacecraft operating beyond Earth's orbit, ideally inside the orbit of Mars.
Unlike traditional rocket fuel useful for leaving Earth's orbit, solar sails provide efficient propulsion within space, making them comparable to starships in science fiction like Star Trek.
The popularity of solar sails in science fiction highlights their potential, with stories suggesting they could be the precursor to advanced travel technologies, despite the debates on faster-than-light travel.
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