solar sails
Science

NASA To Unfurl The Largest Solar Sail Ever Flown In Space

In a series of upcoming technology demonstration missions, NASA is hoping to prove that giant solar sails are a practical way to explore the cosmos, even though warp drive engines and rocket powered spacecraft make for better movie fodder.

August 20, 2010
Science

What Is This?

A lost scene of Close Encounters of the Third Kind? No, although it will go to space at one point.

July 28, 2010
Science

Solar Sail Proves Photon Acceleration Works, As It Twists And Turns Under The Sun

Less than two months after being unfurled in space, Japan’s IKAROS solar sail accomplished its ambitious aim – becoming the first spacecraft to travel in space, powered by the sun. Now it has demonstrated its fine steering ability.

June 18, 2010
Science

Japan’s Space-Surfing Solar Sail Photographed For First Time

Good news for the Little Japanese Solar Sail That Could, as the first images of the solar sail spread out in full deployment have been snapped. All is going according to plan, says the space agency, and “flying” looks possible.

June 10, 2010
Science

Japan’s Mega Solar Kite Conquered Space, But Now Needs To Fly

The 20m (diagonally) solar sail Ikaros we mentioned last month has been successfully unfurled in space by its Japanese team. Now it’s a waiting game to see if it can be used for solar-powered travel as planned.

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