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A comment on A “meta-optics” camera that is the size of a single grain of salt. Parent comment

Re:A “meta-optics” camera that is the size of a single grain... by DCH3416 on Friday November 22, 2024 @01:56PM (#42216438)
Well if you can propel something forward you can propel it backwards as well.

I'm assuming some sort of fixed laser type propulsion mechanism would leverage a type of solar sail technology. Maybe you could send a phased laser signal that "vibrates" a solar sail towards the source of energy instead of away.

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Re:A “meta-optics” camera that is the size of a single grain... by sangnoir on Friday November 22, 2024 @02:09PM (#42216544)
> Well if you can propel something forward you can propel it backwards as well

Not necessarily - at least with currently known science. Light sails work ok transferring momentum from photons, allowing positive acceleration from a giant laser Earth. Return trip requires a giant laser on the other side.

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