Today, a unique satellite will be launched from the first launch complex in Mahia, New Zealand, on an Electron rocket (Rocket Lab company). This device, developed by NanoAvionics, will be the first of its kind to use a solar sail to fly in space.
Probe will launch from the first launch complex in Mahia, New Zealand, on an Electron rocket (Rocket Lab company).
After the satellite reaches a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 1,000 km, it will deploy an 80 square meter sail. Due to the reflection of the sun’s rays, it will glow in the night sky, similar to the star Sirius.
This experiment aims to test a new sail control system including specially designed composite masts. These masts, compact when folded, are able to extend up to seven meters, providing rigidity to the sail when deployed. The entire deployment process, which will last 25 minutes, will be captured on camera.
The main purpose of the launch is to test the new sail deployment system, as well as collect data to create larger sail structures that could theoretically reach 2 square kilometers.
As part of an additional experiment, NASA will investigate the possibility of maneuvering a satellite using the orientation of a sail, which will be “inflated” by solar photons instead of wind.
Satellites with sails should become a promising solution for long-term missions outside the solar system.
