Nanosail-D deploys, unfurls sail
Posted: Tue, Jan 25, 2011, 6:45 AM ET (1145 GMT)
An experimental small satellite unexpected deployed last week and unfurled a solar sail, NASA officials said. NanoSail-D was supposed to eject from the FASTSAT last month, but engineers found no evidence that the spacecraft actually deployed. However, for reasons still unknown, NanoSail-D ejected from FASTSAT last week, and on Friday engineers confirmed that the small satellite deployed a nine-square-meter solar sail. The satellite will remain in orbit for up to 120 days before deorbiting, although lack of radio contacts with the satellite indicate that the spacecraft's battery has been exhausted.
An experimental small satellite unexpected deployed last week and unfurled a solar sail, NASA officials said. NanoSail-D was supposed to eject from the FASTSAT last month, but engineers found no evidence that the spacecraft actually deployed. However, for reasons still unknown, NanoSail-D ejected from FASTSAT last week, and on Friday engineers confirmed that the small satellite deployed a nine-square-meter solar sail. The satellite will remain in orbit for up to 120 days before deorbiting, although lack of radio contacts with the satellite indicate that the spacecraft's battery has been exhausted.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, May 13
A new ‘Boost!’ for space transportation companies
ESA — 6:12 am ET (1012 GMT) Elon Musk Is Out to Rule Space. Can Anyone Stop Him?
Wired — 6:11 am ET (1011 GMT) AST SpaceMobile ‘Optimistic’ About New Glenn Pad Return
Aviation Week — 6:08 am ET (1008 GMT) AST SpaceMobile Confirms Target for 45 BlueBirds This Year, Despite Blue Origin Launch Failure
ViaSatellite — 6:06 am ET (1006 GMT) ULA to prep future Vulcan launch for Amazon despite rocket investigation
Orlando Sentinel — 6:06 am ET (1006 GMT) |
