As a matter of fact, yes. Tacking a sail side to side allows a sailboat to sail upwind in a zig zag pattern. With a solar sail, a spacecraft can tack away from the direction of orbit, slowing down, and allowing the Sun’s gravity to pull it closer. All using no fuel.
Can a solar sail get something from Earth to Mercury?
As a matter of fact, yes. Tacking a sail side to side allows a sailboat to sail upwind in a zig zag pattern. With a solar sail, a spacecraft can tack away from the direction of orbit, slowing down, and allowing the Sun’s gravity to pull it closer. All using no fuel.
Veritaseum breaks down the principle. https://youtu.be/jyQwgBAaBag
Neat, thanks.