Finnish researchers developing fastest man-made device, the electric sail

The world of technology is moving faster than we’d expect, say a year back. So many things have changed and thus a European Union initiative may just have us thinking of a superfast device – only superfast may just be an understatement, because once completed, by Finnish Meteorological Institute who have been granted $2.25 million funds by EU, this will be the largest and fastest man-made device ever. Well, the speed of the electronic sail or ESAIL as it’ll be called could, if researchers are believed, make to Pluto in just five years’ time. Propelled by the ESAIL very surprisingly repels protons.

electric sail

The ESAIL will consist of some thin metallic tethers that unfold in a circular array around the spacecraft; these tethers will be kept charged at a high positive potential with the help of a solar-powered electron gun aboard which would push the protons in the solar wind onto the tethers, propelling the electric sail away from the sun. The ESAIL-powered spacecraft is estimated that after a year in flight could hit about 19 miles per second.

Via: Physorg/PopSci