David Kirkpatrick

June 13, 2010

Japan deploys first solar sail in space

A long-time space travel concept becomes reality.

From the link:

Japan’s IKAROS has rolled out its solar sail, the first ever deployed in space. JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, achieved the feat by rotating the craft rapidly and spinning the sail out by centrifugal force. IKAROS is the world’s first solar-powered spacecraft.

Hit the link up there for more illustrations.

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