After all the previous considerations of how to reduce mass, it appears that a mission may be possible with a smaller sail. There could be a mission to Deimos, for example. Samples could be taken, and then returned to Earth. It could be a manned mission.
The configuration would require a Gemini type payload of about 8000 lbs. The sail would have to be a high-performance sail with sail loading ( without payload ) of just 1 g/m2. Making a larger sail would allow a greater payload.
Of course, a high-performance sail implies construction in space. If it weren't for that, I wouldn't be interested in this idea. The assumption being made is that a sail like this could be made in space in the near future. Another assumption is the use of my ideas for reducing mass for the sail and payload. Those ideas rely upon the near future availability of bulk graphene at an affordable price, lower launch prices, and 3D printing techniques in space ( SpiderFab). Another assumption could be that a mission to bring an asteroid back to a lunar LaGrange point will have been approved and executed. Not only executed, but extended to support a mission to Deimos via a space sail--- the moon will provide the aluminum for the sail.
Here's a spreadsheet of the calculations
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| Destination Delta V not indicated here, but Deimos wouldn't be too much different than this. The top calculation is for a sail of 2 km square on each side This configuation is for mining. The bottom one is for one about 800 meters on each side. |
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