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First Controllable Solar Sail Launched Today

Posted by timothy on from the now-for-obedience-school dept.

clustermonkey writes "The first controllable solar sail was launched earlier today from a Russian sub in the Barents Sea. The Planetary Society, founded by Carl Sagan, organized the project and were funded by Cosmos Studios, founded by Sagan's widow. There have been 2 other solar sail deployments by others, but this will be the first to attempt controlled flight. The sail is scheduled to deploy June 25." All may not be well, though: Snot Locker writes "The Cosmos 1 Weblog is showing that, although the launch initially looked successful, they can't seem to find it or hear it. Bummer. Previous Slashdot coverage on the Cosmos 1 Solar Sail mission can be found here."

3 of 237 comments (clear)

  1. "Bummer" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny


    It's a bit more than a "Bummer":

    Engineer #1: Yessiree, that solar sail is up there! This calls for a celebration!
    Engineer #2: Um. Where is it?
    Engineer #1: [points] Up there!
    Engineer #2: Where up there?
    Engineer #1: Way, way up there.
    Engineer #2: You have no idea, right?
    Engineer #1: [weak laugh] Nah.
    Engineer #1: [shrug] Bummer.

  2. uh oh by MrDoh! · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm just waiting for when it comes back as a near omnipotent being and starts demanding to see it's creator.

    --
    Waiting for an amusing sig.
  3. Of course they can't hear it! by ZSpade · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's in space!

    --
    Go ahead and call me unreliable; reliable is just a synonym for predictable.