light sail; solar sail
A spacecraft propulsion method using radiation pressure from sunlight on a large reflective surface. Technical term; compare 太陽帆 (たいようほ).
See also: 太陽帆
A light sail is a spacecraft technology that propels using the pressure of sunlight.
Plans are underway to use solar sails for planetary exploration.
Standard kanji form for this technical term.
Compound of 光 (light) and 帆 (sail), a calque of English 'light sail' or 'solar sail'.