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Launch Date for First Solar Sail due Monday

Posted by Zonk on from the fwoosh dept.

PGillingwater writes "The Planetary Society (home of SETI) is planning to launch the first Solar Sail Spacecraft, Cosmos 1, later this month. The exact launch date is scheduled to be announced on Monday, May 9. This event represents one of the first privately-funded space missions with the objective of pure research. It will be launched from a Russian submarine in the Barents Sea. The spacecraft consists of a body surrounded by 8 triangular sails, that will use the tiny force of reflected sunlight to (potentially) accelerate to tremendous speeds. Unfortunately, the craft is not expected to leave Earth's orbit due to degradation of the mylar materials, but should be a proof of concept for subsequent missions."

5 of 181 comments (clear)

  1. Cost by bigtallmofo · · Score: 5, Informative

    There are many references to "low cost" when talking about the solar sail. For anyone curious, the price is about $4 million which relatively speaking, is low cost.

    I've only been a member of the Planetary Society for two years, but I'm proud that they're accomplishing this.

    --
    I'm a big tall mofo.
  2. not the first by cahiha · · Score: 4, Informative

    The first solar sail spacecraft was launched by the Japanese last year. See here for more info.

  3. Re:Why submarine launch? by YrWrstNtmr · · Score: 2, Informative
    So what? It's the right of every nation to build nuclear weapons, no matter what USA thinks.

    Actually, no, it isn't. Kofi Annan and 188 countries disagree with you.

  4. Re:Why submarine launch? by Guanix · · Score: 3, Informative

    That only applies to those 188 counties (and Kofi Annan). And in principle those countries still had the right to build nuclear weapons prior to signing the treaty; they sign the treaty in return for a promise that signatories that already have nuclear weapons will never use them against them, and in exchange for help to build civilian nuclear power programs.

  5. Numerous benefits by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    The benefits include ...

    1. No extra launcher costs, since the subs with launch capability already exist.

    2. No launchpad safety costs, since crew is already isolated from the launch tube for ejection.

    3. No launch area safety costs, since the ocean provides a free barrier against rocket blast and against falling debris.

    4. Extremely secure launch facility.

    5. Impervious to weather while submerged waiting for launch window.

    6. Mobility allows poor weather to be bypassed.

    7. Mobility allows choice of launch coordinates to suit different injections paths.

    There are downsides too though ...