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Japan To Launch Solar Sail Spacecraft "Ikaros"

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the so-that's-what-sailor-moon-does dept.

separsons writes "On May 18th, Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will launch Ikaros, a fuel-free spacecraft that relies completely on solar power. The spacecraft's 46-foot-wide sails are thinner than a human hair and lined with thin-film solar panels. After a rocket brings the craft to space, mission controllers on the ground will steer Ikaros by adjusting the sails' angles, ensuring optimal radiation is hitting the solar cells. If the mission proves successful, the $16M spacecraft will be the first solar sail-powered craft to enter deep space."

8 of 138 comments (clear)

  1. Icarus? by Kelson · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's always seemed like a bad idea to name anything after a figure whose claim to fame was that he ignored warnings against exceeding the tolerances of his vehicle, causing it to break up and kill him.

    1. Re:Icarus? by Gerafix · · Score: 5, Funny

      To be fair the Japanese don't have to do metric/imperial conversions so they should be fine.

    2. Re:Icarus? by srussia · · Score: 3, Funny

      Talk about misnomer. This thing goes away from the Sun, not nearer it. Or maybe they meant post-wax-melt Icarus.

      --
      Set your phasers on "funky"!
    3. Re:Icarus? by wienerschnizzel · · Score: 3, Funny

      Reminds me of the shock I experienced when I found that one of the biggest brand of condoms in the US is called 'Trojan'. It can either refer to the people of Troy that got totally pwned or to the Trojan Horse from which the guys got out once they were inside...

  2. meh by jt418-93 · · Score: 4, Funny

    the bjorans did this centuries ago :)
    repeat

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    -.no
  3. Preparation by gmuslera · · Score: 4, Funny

    In the case it or one of its successors are launched to another solar system, i suggest that it carry scaled down versions of the ninja turtles, so if some come back to this mote in god's eye will never figure how we really are.

  4. Re:Solar power in deepspace by SnarfQuest · · Score: 3, Funny

    They have a flashlight mounted under the solar sail to provide the becessary light when they get too far from the sun. That's why they need the solar panels, to provide power to the flashlight when it's too dark for the sail to work otherwise, which also powers the solar cells.

    --
    Who would win this election: Andrew Weiner vs Andrew Weiner's weiner.
  5. Tachyon Eddy by wisnoskij · · Score: 4, Funny

    Now all we have to do is find a tachyon eddy and we could be on Cardasia in no time.

    --
    Troll is not a replacement for I disagree.