• Olhonestjim@lemmy.world
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    18 days ago

    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