“Is it not evident, then, I ask you, that there will some day appear velocities far greater than these, of which light or electricity will probably be the mechanical agent?”.

This quote is taken from chapter XIX of Jules Verne’s “From the Earth to the Moon: A Direct Route in 97 Hours 20 Minutes” (first published in 1865).

 It may certainly be interpreted as a prediction of solar sails – a technology used in contemporary spacecrafts. This mechanism helps to save energy in space missions since the apparatus is powered by sunlight and makes use of solar pressure which all spacecrafts are affected by.

The invention stays current and even vital nowadays because successful launches with the use of such technology have started just recently, not more than fifteen years ago. Therefore, it is going to be in use for the upcoming decades – at least until we come up with a technology more advanced than the one we have.

Solar sail crafts are now cheaper than regular chemical rockets, yet they possess higher speed and durability (which means they might be used not once, but repeatedly).

Not only is it employed in the space industry, but also in much more everyday spheres. This technology is closely related to solar panels and solar power in general. And it becomes more widespread day by day. We live in the age of global warming which demands lessening the carbon dioxide emissions to keep the planet habitable. Green energy is an immanent trend of today, one of its most acclaimed forms of it is solar power. Though it is still rather expensive solar panels are likely to be the most harmless alternative to common power stations. Besides, many regions are gripped by the energy crisis that has unfolded in the past two years. Generally speaking, solar power – as an inexhaustible source of energy – is needed today like never before.

In conclusion, we should note that this particular prediction made by Jules Verne is not just current to this day, but seems to be obtaining more importance in the near future. Both the spacecraft industry and households largely benefit from solar power.

Никогосов Антон, студент 4 курса

направления 45.03.02 «Лингвистика», профиль «Иностранный язык и иностранный язык (английский / французский)»

Факультета русской филологии и иностранных языков

Института гуманитарных наук и языковых коммуникаций

Федерального государственного бюджетного образовательного учреждения высшего образования «Псковский государственный университет»