Planetary Society to launch solar sail demonstrator in May
Posted: Tue, Jan 27, 2015, 7:43 AM ET (1243 GMT)
The Planetary Society announced Monday that it will launch a small spacecraft designed to test solar sail technology in May. The nonprofit organization said it first LightSail spacecraft, a 3U CubeSat, will fly as a secondary payload on an Atlas 5 rocket launching in May from Cape Canaveral. The spacecraft will spend four weeks in orbit testing out its systems before deploying a set of Mylar sails on booms four meters long. Atmospheric drag will keep the sail from generating thrust, but will test systems for a second spacecraft, planned for launch in 2016, that will fly in a higher orbit. The organization ultimately hopes to show that solar sails, which generate thrust from the small but continuous pressure on the sails from sunlight, can be used for cost-effective solar system exploration.
The Planetary Society announced Monday that it will launch a small spacecraft designed to test solar sail technology in May. The nonprofit organization said it first LightSail spacecraft, a 3U CubeSat, will fly as a secondary payload on an Atlas 5 rocket launching in May from Cape Canaveral. The spacecraft will spend four weeks in orbit testing out its systems before deploying a set of Mylar sails on booms four meters long. Atmospheric drag will keep the sail from generating thrust, but will test systems for a second spacecraft, planned for launch in 2016, that will fly in a higher orbit. The organization ultimately hopes to show that solar sails, which generate thrust from the small but continuous pressure on the sails from sunlight, can be used for cost-effective solar system exploration.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Retired Air Force officer nominated to be NASA deputy administrator
Posted: Sat, May 10 9:44 AM ET (1344 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Monday, May 12
To beat China, keep Space Command fully operational
Washington Examiner — 6:19 am ET (1019 GMT) Spaceships on the Beach
Native News Online — 6:17 am ET (1017 GMT) Taiwan Struggles To Replace SpaceX In Satcom Plan
Aviation Week — 6:16 am ET (1016 GMT) India fast-tracks $3-billion spy satellite scheme following Operation Sindoor | Today News
livemint — 6:13 am ET (1013 GMT) At least 10 satellites working to ensure safety and security of India: ISRO Chief V Narayanan
ANI — 6:11 am ET (1011 GMT) |
