Breakthrough Starshot

[AmrlKJaneway]

The Starshot concept doesn't include a deceleration phase; it just involves sending a probe through the target system at a small but significant fraction of light. As a data-collection strategy this doesn't compete very well with building larger telescopes with wide interferometer baselines.

In OA there were a few starwisp-type beamrider probes
http://www.orionsarm.com/eg-article/47f42ab73ce60
but in general much better info could be achieved by telescopes like the Eyes of Neptune
http://www.orionsarm.com/eg-article/564e2f6599744
at least, until the first decelerating probes were constructed.


A probe could reconfigure in flight to deploy a magbrake, which requires no fuel (but does require some energy), or it could use Robert Forward's idea of a reflecting sail, which would need very tightly focused beams from the launch system.

Okay, I've read about magbrakes before, but how is the probe in that diagram returning to Earth?