NASA's Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) successfully deployed its 80-square-meter solar sail in April 2024.
NASA's Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) successfully deployed its 80-square-meter solar sail, marking a significant milestone for the mission. The solar sail is part of NASA's Small Spacecraft Technology program, launched in April 2024, and aims to demonstrate solar sail-equipped spacecraft's potential for future science and exploration missions. The ACS3 system features lightweight, strong composite carbon fiber boom systems and an ultra-thin, reflective polymer sail, with the potential to support sails as large as 2,000 square meters, generating more thrust. Over the next few weeks, mission teams will test the sail's maneuvering capabilities and gather data for future solar sail-equipped missions.
August 30, 2024
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