The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) began to deploy the solar sail of the Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator "IKAROS" on June 3, 2010 (Japan Standard Time). On June 10, 2010 (JST) we have confirmed that it was successfully expanded and was generating power through its thin film solar cells at about 770 km from the Earth, [BBC video].
JAXA will measure and observe the power generation status of the thin film solar cells, accelerate the satellite by photon pressure, and verify the orbit control through that acceleration. Through these activities, the Japanese space agency will ultimately aim at acquiring navigation technology through the solar sail. More from SpaceflightNow.
Friday, June 11, 2010
JAXA Deploys Working Solar Sail in Space
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