Jun 21, 2019 21:00:00

Solar Sail Spacecraft 'Light Sail No. 2' advancing with sunlight, to experiment in the earth orbit

by Josh Spradling / The Planetary Society

A demonstration experiment of a solar sail spacecraft that receives particles of light from the sun on a sail and travels under

light pressure is to be conducted on Earth. The spacecraft has already been folded and mounted on SpaceX's Falcon Heavy Rocket, and is scheduled to be launched at 13:30 on June 25, 2019 Japan time.

LightSail | The Planetary Society
http://www.planetary.org/explore/projects/lightsail-solar-sailing/

The launch is being promoted by the

Planetary Association, which aims to realize solar sails for nearly 20 years.

The first demonstration 'Cosmos 1' was launched in 2001 and was scheduled for deployment testing, but failed due to a rocket failure. The launch in 2005 also failed to reach the planned altitude due to rocket failure. In 2010, ahead of the Planetary Society, JAXA successfully launched the solar sail demonstration aircraft ' IKAROS '. We have succeeded in the world's first solar sail navigation.

Following the 'IKAROS', the Planetary Association developed the 'Light Sail A'. Launched in 2015, we succeeded in deploying a solar sail . Since the name was changed to 'Lightsail 1' after launch, the aircraft to be launched this time is 'Lightsail 2.'

'Light Sail 2' with all sails (thin film) spread on the ground looks like this.

by Jason Davis / The Planetary Society

It is folded at the time of launch.

by SpaceX / The Planetary Society

Light Sail 2 will stay on the Earth orbit for a year after launch and will demonstrate the solar sail.

Although the solar sail spacecraft travels at a slower speed than a fuel-powered spacecraft, it can be astonishingly fast if it continues to accelerate in response to light from the sun and other stars. Is expected to help advance the deep space exploration.

Another major advantage is that satellites that need to maintain a fixed position on the orbit can be used without refueling.

According to Bill Nay, who promotes the plan, there is also a bonus that 'you can see with the naked eye from the ground'.