NanoSail-D is Alive
January 22nd 2011 02:54
Category: Space Probes
Artist’s conception image of the Nano sail :
NASA has launched a sail into Earth’s low orbit, using the Fast Affordable Scientific and Technology Satellite FASTSAT. However the deployment hit a snag. Although the NanoSail-D was ejected all contact with NanoSail was lost.
NASA even asked the world wide amateur radio operators (HAM) to listen out for a signal beacon. The NanoSail-D when deployed would be around 100-square-foot polymer sail when fully unfurled.
This is NASA second attempt a similar sail experiment was conducted in 2008 unfortunately that mission failed to reach orbit.
Having a sail in space was at one time relegated to science fiction. Many stories have been written in the past about the possibility of sailing among the stars with sails propelled by sunlight instead of by wind, well the dream is now a reality.
Just a few days ago the NanoSail-D started to transmit it’s telemetry confirmed by ground-based satellite tracking stations. The goal of the NanoSail-D mission will stay aloft in low-Earth orbit for 70 and perhaps 120 days, if atmospheric conditions permit.
The NanoSail-D will orbit the earth just like an ordinary satellite. NanoSail-D will use it sail just a sail boat would use wind to provide momentum the NanoSail-D will use the Solar wind and photons of light provided by the Sun.
The research data provided by NanoSail-D mission will help in designing future sail that are capable of launching and maneuvering a small payload into low earth orbit.
You can follow NanoSail-D mission on the internet
Space missions in the future could use the Solar wind to reach distant objects in space with out the use of additional rocket power. A rocket would be needed initially to get the payload into space, but the sail would provide the propulsion for the long haul.
Nasa image
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