• Question: Is there wind in space?

    Asked by LouisClayton to Col Op, Elie, Floris, Jenn, RocketRich on 12 Mar 2016.
    • Photo: Richard Moss

      Richard Moss answered on 12 Mar 2016:


      In our solar system, there is a “solar wind” which is caused by particles thrown out from our Sun. It is a very very light wind, astronauts do not notice it. But there are some future spacecraft designs that use the solar wind to help move to other planets.

    • Photo: Elie Allouis

      Elie Allouis answered on 12 Mar 2016:


      Because there is no “air” to be pushed around, there is no “wind”, but as Richard mention, that does not mean we cannot get sailing on the solar wind, made up of particles, – not air -. They look like large sails that can push a spacecraft around…

      Have a look there for more – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_sail

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