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NASA Set To Launch Solar NanoSail Into Space

Posted by timothy on from the solar-powers-activate dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Earlier this year the Japanese space agency successfully deployed and used a solar sail to propel its spacecraft Ikaros, and now NASA announced plans this week for its own solar sail mission. This fall it will launch the NanoSail-D into orbit 400 miles up with a Minotaur IV rocket. Once deployed, it will orbit for 17 weeks, proving the technology and allowing astronomers to snap lots of photos."

2 of 104 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Space tourists? by ciderbrew · · Score: 4, Funny

    They are making the brochure first.

  2. Re:Proving technology that already works? by Thanshin · · Score: 2, Funny

    Proving new technology is just too risky.

    Reinventing the wheel is now a long term objective.