Space Industry and Business News
SPACE TRAVEL
NASA continues to assess Solar Sail system progress following deployment
illustration only
NASA continues to assess Solar Sail system progress following deployment
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Oct 23, 2024

NASA's Advanced Composite Solar Sail System is advancing through post-deployment testing, with mission operators carefully reviewing data to evaluate the performance of the spacecraft's composite booms. Following the successful deployment of both the booms and solar sail, the spacecraft continues to experience slow tumbling in orbit due to the deactivation of its attitude control system.

Prior to the deployment phase, the team deactivated the attitude control system to accommodate changes in the spacecraft's dynamics during the unfurling of the solar sail. This system is vital for maintaining a spacecraft's orientation in space, ensuring proper alignment for communications and solar energy collection.

While the solar sail has fully deployed into its square shape-approximately half the size of a tennis court-the team is analyzing a slight bend detected in one of the four composite booms. The bend likely occurred as the booms were stretched during deployment. However, preliminary analysis suggests the bend has partially straightened over time as the spacecraft slowly tumbles in orbit.

The primary goal of the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System mission is to validate the deployment of the composite booms, contributing crucial data for future applications of this technology in solar sails and other space structures. The data gathered so far has already been extremely useful and will continue to inform the advancement of solar sail missions.

The mission team expects that the slight bend will not interfere with the solar sail's planned maneuvers, which are slated for the later stages of the technology demonstration.

Currently, efforts are focused on repositioning the spacecraft, which remains in low-power mode to conserve energy. The team is working to optimize the orientation of the solar panels to receive more sunlight and prioritize essential operations, such as two-way communication with mission control. Once the attitude control system is reactivated, operators will be able to precisely position the spacecraft's high-bandwidth antenna for improved communication, collect additional data, and prepare for the mission's upcoming sailing maneuvers.

Related Links
Advanced Composite Solar Sail
Space Tourism, Space Transport and Space Exploration News

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
SPACE TRAVEL
Sail with NASA's Solar Sail Tech in Real-Time Simulation
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Oct 13, 2024
NASA is offering the public an opportunity to virtually experience the journey of the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) through the "Eyes on the Solar System" tool. This interactive simulation provides real-time updates on the positions of planets, moons, and spacecraft, including the ACS3. Solar sails utilize sunlight pressure for propulsion, adjusting their angle relative to the Sun so that photons bouncing off their reflective surfaces push the spacecraft forward. By eliminating the n ... read more

SPACE TRAVEL
OKI to produce satellite units for Astroscale

Radiation belt exploration boosted by smallsat constellation mission CORBES

NASA testing deployable solar array on Pathfinder Mission

Sidus Space completes CDR for Dutch laser comms satellite

SPACE TRAVEL
SDA Selects AST SpaceMobile and Muon Space for HALO Program to Enhance Proliferated LEO Capabilities

Eutelsat Group launches 20 OneWeb satellites to expand LEO Network

Intelsat and US Army Complete pilot program for Managed Satellite Communication Services

ViaSat-3 F1 Now Providing Services to Government Customers

SPACE TRAVEL
SPACE TRAVEL
Seven ways satellite navigation supports sustainability efforts

GMV GSharp leads globally in precise GNSS corrections

LEO satellites hold the key to resilient, interference-free navigation

China launches two more satellites for Beidou navigation system

SPACE TRAVEL
US approves $7.3 bn sale of F-16 upgrades for Poland

German flying taxi startup to file for bankruptcy

Hydrogen aviation has to be done properly or not at all

US regulator finalizes air taxi rules

SPACE TRAVEL
SCALE Nanotech reveals advanced GMOD technology for drones, avionics, and space

Taiwan's TSMC stops shipments to client after chips sent to Huawei

Taiwan's TSMC stops shipments to client after chips sent to Huawei

SKhynix posts record quarterly profit on strong AI demand

SPACE TRAVEL
China deploys new Yaogan-43 remote-sensing satellite group

EarthCARE mission highlights crucial roles of clouds and aerosols in atmospheric energy

Thin cool ocean surface enhances carbon absorption

UK to lead global EO group with ambitious focus on data and impact

SPACE TRAVEL
Smog in Pakistan megacity ends outdoor play for schoolkids

East DR Congo grapples with Chinese gold mining firms

Chair of global plastics talks pledges deal next month

Indian capital chokes as 'hazardous' air pollution returns

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.