Velizy, France-based Unix specialist Steria SA says it has been given the task of developing the graphical features and animation for a simulation that explains the voyage of Vinci – the European sun sailing ship – to the public. At the end of the century, Vinci is scheduled to voyage to the dark side of the moon to photograph it. The aim is to demonstrate that it is possible to propel interplanetary space engines with the aid of pressure exercised by photons emitted from the sun going to enormous sails extending thousands of feet square. The French National Science Institute will provide the spatial mechanic algorithms for the public demo. Steria, Sema Group Plc, and Christol Consultants will jointly develop the simulator, which will enable users to pilot the interplanetary sailing ship.
