LightSail-1 (experimental cubesat)

[Grey Havoc]

ORIGINAL CAPTION: LightSail-1 (Credit: Planetary Society)

http://gizmodo.com/these-are-the-science-stories-we-ll-be-watching-in-2016-1749459257​

Excitingly, the Pasadena-based Planetary Society will be sending its crowd-funded LightSail-1 cubesat into orbit. The $4.5 million spacecraft will carry large reflective sails measuring 344 square feet (32 square meters). These sails will use the Sun’s energy as a method of propulsion. Launch is scheduled for April. Should it prove successful, two more solar sails, dubbed LightSail-2 and LightSail-3, will be built.

 

[FighterJock]

ORIGINAL CAPTION: LightSail-1 (Credit: Planetary Society)

http://gizmodo.com/these-are-the-science-stories-we-ll-be-watching-in-2016-1749459257​

Excitingly, the Pasadena-based Planetary Society will be sending its crowd-funded LightSail-1 cubesat into orbit. The $4.5 million spacecraft will carry large reflective sails measuring 344 square feet (32 square meters). These sails will use the Sun’s energy as a method of propulsion. Launch is scheduled for April. Should it prove successful, two more solar sails, dubbed LightSail-2 and LightSail-3, will be built.

Great find Grey Havoc. As a member of the British Interplanetary Society I have seen many designs of LightSails in the BIS Journal over the years. Hope the launch goes smoothly for them.