Nanosail-D deploys, unfurls sail
Posted: Tue, Jan 25, 2011, 6:45 AM ET (1145 GMT)
An experimental small satellite unexpected deployed last week and unfurled a solar sail, NASA officials said. NanoSail-D was supposed to eject from the FASTSAT last month, but engineers found no evidence that the spacecraft actually deployed. However, for reasons still unknown, NanoSail-D ejected from FASTSAT last week, and on Friday engineers confirmed that the small satellite deployed a nine-square-meter solar sail. The satellite will remain in orbit for up to 120 days before deorbiting, although lack of radio contacts with the satellite indicate that the spacecraft's battery has been exhausted.
An experimental small satellite unexpected deployed last week and unfurled a solar sail, NASA officials said. NanoSail-D was supposed to eject from the FASTSAT last month, but engineers found no evidence that the spacecraft actually deployed. However, for reasons still unknown, NanoSail-D ejected from FASTSAT last week, and on Friday engineers confirmed that the small satellite deployed a nine-square-meter solar sail. The satellite will remain in orbit for up to 120 days before deorbiting, although lack of radio contacts with the satellite indicate that the spacecraft's battery has been exhausted.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Blue Origin announces new upper stage and engine for New Glenn
Posted: Sat, Nov 7 12:07 PM ET (1707 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Friday, November 13
ESA astronaut reserve celebrates completion of training
ESA — 5:20 am ET (1020 GMT) Ukraine Starlink speed restrictions in effect again, Zelenskyy says
POLITICO — 5:19 am ET (1019 GMT) ‘At $3, satellite doesn’t make sense’: Sunil Mittal questions scope of Starlink-like services in India
CNBC TV18 (India) — 5:15 am ET (1015 GMT) Ukraine says its facing Starlink disruptions again
Semafor — 5:15 am ET (1015 GMT) Russian "Rassvet" satellite system facing issues – DIU
Censor.net — 5:15 am ET (1015 GMT) |
