NASA Set To Launch Solar NanoSail Into Space

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."

Comments

Proving technology that already works?

[damburger]

Nanosail D was originally to launch on one of the ill-fated Falcon 1 test flights, at which time it would have indeed been proving the technology. But now that JAXA have not only proved the technology, but applied it to interplanetary travel, it seems a bit moot.

Re:Proving technology that already works?

[MichaelSmith]

NASA have already sent five probes out of the solar system. Both pioneers, both voyagers and New Horizons. Thats a pretty good record IMHO.

And before you use a solar sail in deep space it makes sense to test one in low earth orbit. Its cheaper that way.

Re:The Apollo crews would be ashamed.

[teh kurisu]

Isn't that why NASA was founded? To be America's 'me-too' reply to Sputnik.

Re:Space tourists?

[Sockatume]

It's a technology testbed, not a scientific instrument. That said, NASA and its affiliated institutions have probably done more science with photographs than most R&D departments have with million-dollar laboratories.