NASA's CubeSat Solar Sail Successfully Unfurls in Orbit

NASA's CubeSat Solar Sail Successfully Unfurls in Orbit
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 24, 2024

NASA's Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) has successfully deployed from Rocket Lab's Electron kick stage into low Earth orbit. The mission, which utilizes sunlight for propulsion, is a key demonstration of next-generation solar sail technology.

Following deployment, the Solar Sail CubeSat will power up and begin its initial communication attempts with ground control. These efforts are expected to occur overnight or in the coming days as the satellite settles into its orbit.

The mission launched from Rocket Lab's Electron rocket, carrying the ACS3 CubeSat equipped to test its innovative solar sail. This technology harnesses sunlight directly for propulsion, akin to wind propelling a sailboat.

The purpose of this mission is to advance solar sail technologies, which are essential for future deep space exploration. Solar sails, such as the one used by ACS3, leverage the momentum of photons from the sun to move through space, thus eliminating the need for traditional rocket fuels. The ACS3 employs composite materials for its construction, featuring lightweight booms made from a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer. These booms extend to form a large sail, which will harness solar radiation for propulsion.

The primary goal for this mission is the successful deployment and operation of the solar sail in orbit. Once in space, ACS3 will deploy its solar arrays and initiate the unfurling of its sail via four diagonal booms, each extending to approximately 23 feet (7 meters). This deployment is expected to take about 25 minutes, resulting in a square-shaped sail measuring 30 feet (9 meters) on each side.

The booms of ACS3, crucial for maintaining the sail's shape and alignment, are designed to withstand the harsh conditions of space, including extreme temperature variations that can cause materials to warp or bend. The robustness of the design is intended to ensure that the sail operates efficiently and can continue to do so indefinitely, constrained only by the durability of its materials and onboard electronics.

This technology demonstration is part of NASA's broader strategy to explore solar sailing as a viable alternative to conventional propulsion methods, which could revolutionize the design and flexibility of future spacecraft for a variety of mission objectives.