[Alexh (OP)]

I've been following in the New Scientist and some science forums the debate over whether solar sails will ever actually work.

There are a number of arguments to say that they won't - and the most obvious evidence that they will is that comets have tails.

I just wondered whether anyone had seen any research on whether cometary tails could be due to tidal forces alone?

[Ultima]

The problem is to get any sort of acceleration from them you must fly very very near to the sun, so for an unmanned probe it might be ok.

wOw the world spins?

[chris]

How are they supposed to work ?

Chris

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx

[gsmollin]

They are large, thin mirrors that provide thrust by bouncing light photons off of them. Here are som weblinks with more info:

http://www.solarsails.info/
http://www.planetary.org/solarsail/
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/snews/2004/0809.shtml