Space

IKAROS becomes first spacecraft to successfully deploy solar sail in space

IKAROS becomes first spacecraft to successfully deploy solar sail in space
IKAROS with it's solar sail successfully deployed
IKAROS with it's solar sail successfully deployed
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Before solar sail deployment
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Before solar sail deployment
The solar sail was unfurled using centrifugal force
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The solar sail was unfurled using centrifugal force
IKAROS with it's solar sail successfully deployed
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IKAROS with it's solar sail successfully deployed
The solar sail was unfurled using centrifugal force
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The solar sail was unfurled using centrifugal force
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The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s IKAROS space yacht which launched last month has successfully unfurled its solar sail. The accomplishment marks the first time a solar sail has been successfully deployed in space.

The IKAROS (short for Interplanetary Kite-craft Accelerated by Radiation Of the Sun) small solar sail demonstrator began to deploy its sail using centrifugal force on June 3 and on June 10, about 7.7 million km (4.8 million miles) from Earth, JAXA confirmed the proper extension of the sail, which measures 14 meters (46 ft) along each side. JAXA also confirmed power generation by the thin film solar cells attached to the sail.

The solar sail was unfurled using centrifugal force
The solar sail was unfurled using centrifugal force

The next step will be to verify acceleration by the cells and orbit control of the craft by using photon pressure from sunlight as it continues on its journey that will take it past Venus, before it navigates back around the Sun.

View gallery - 4 images
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