<img src="https://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2026/04/light_hits_graphene_aerogel/27189575-1-eng-GB/Light_hits_graphene_aerogel_card_full.gif" alt="Light hits graphene aerogel">
<p>Lasers could one day steer solar sails and adjust a satellite’s position in outer space, thanks to graphene. An experiment on a gravity rollercoaster ride showed how this innovative material has the potential to revolutionise propulsion beyond Earth.</p>
Lasers could one day steer solar sails and adjust a satellite’s position in outer space, thanks to graphene. An experiment on a gravity rollercoaster ride showed how this innovative material has the potential to revolutionise propulsion beyond Earth.
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice. It exhibits remarkable properties such as high electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, and thermal conductivity, making it a promising material for various applications, including electronics and energy storage.
Laser propulsion is a method of spacecraft propulsion that uses laser beams to impart momentum to a spacecraft. This technology has the potential to enable efficient and precise maneuvering in space, particularly for applications like solar sails and deep-space missions.