Re:LightSail 2 Spacecraft Successfully Demonstrates Flight b...
by doctorphil on Thursday August 01, 2019 @01:29PM
(#20586172)
There are no known materials that act as a one way mirror. We don't expect to find any such material. With a one way mirror it would be easy to lower global entropy.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Re:LightSail 2 Spacecraft Successfully Demonstrates Flight b...
by cben on Friday August 02, 2019 @09:55AM
(#20592910)
However, one side reflective/white one absorbing black is possible.
I guess the weight of extra paint is not attractive, compared to attitude control which you need anyway.
EDIT: this matters because full 180° reflection is like "bouncing" the photon to opposite velocity, can up to double exchanged momentum vs absorption. (This is why reflective mylar is nice)