[2026] PTE Academic Reading - Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers

Solar sails are a form of spacecraft propulsion that uses the radiation pressure exerted by sunlight to move through space.Unlike traditional rockets, which require heavy chemical fuel to generate thrust, solar sails utilize thin, mirror-like membranes to catch photons.The constant pressure from these photons provides a small but steady acceleration, which can reach high speeds over long periods.Because they do not need to carry fuel, solar sails can be much lighter than conventional spacecraft, making them ideal for long-range missions.However, they are currently limited by the fact that the thrust decreases significantly as the spacecraft moves further away from the sun.