November 20, 2024

Harnessing Sunbeams for Space Travel: NASA’s Solar Sail Mission Successfully Phones Home

By NASA May 1, 2024This artists idea shows the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System spacecraft cruising in area using the energy of the Sun. Credit: NASA/Aero Animation/Ben SchweighartNASAs Advanced Composite Solar Sail System has effectively developed communication with ground operators and is evaluating ingenious solar sail technology that might revolutionize space travel.NASAs Advanced Composite Solar Sail System has now linked with ground operators following its April 23 launch aboard Rocket Labs Electron rocket. As soon as all set, the spacecraft will unroll it solar sail through four booms that span the diagonals of the square and unspool to reach 23 feet (about 7 meters) in length.NASA Ames handles the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System task and designed and constructed the onboard cam diagnostic system.