It ’s a good day for innovative distance applied science . The Planetary Society ’s technology demonstration of solar sails to propel microsatellites hitch a drive into orbit with the launching of thesecretive X-37B space plane . The LightSail undertaking is testing solar cruise technology for a commission in 2016 .
https://gizmodo.com/the-air-forces-mysterious-space-plane-is-going-into-orb-1704817585
Top image: Artist’s concept of the LightSail microsatellite. Credit:The Planetary Society/Mika McKinnon
Liftoff of the Atlas V rocket carrying the X-37B space plane and the LightSail CubeSat on 19 February 2025. Image credit:United Launch Alliance
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket salad responsible for set in motion the X-37B space plane as its elemental mission also carried 10 CubeSats into orbit as an auxiliary mission . The launch took place at11:05 am EDT on Wednesday May 20 , 2015 out of Cape Canaveral Launch Complex in Florida .
A totally nominal launch for the Atlas V rocket. Image credit:United Launch Alliance
Originally scheduled for May 6 , 2015 , the launch was pushed back until this Wednesday by the request of the Air Force who were troubleshooting problem with their space plane . The entire launch went as expected , blast off at the start of the launch window and performing nominally while slew the elementary and accessory payloads into their respective aim domain . At least , we take up so — the launch had a blackout period of privateness involving the X-37B where no data was reported .
find out the launch highlights here :
Almost everything about the space aeroplane has been keep secret , from which of the two spacecraft were sent into domain to most of the on - dining table experiments . We do know about two experiments : characterizing the newest translation of ion thruster used by military communication satellite , and a NASA materials science experiment where minor samples of 100 dissimilar materials will be straightaway expose to outer space for 200 twenty-four hours .
Launch commentator Steve Agid and@BillNyecompare launching ties.#AtlasV#AFSPC5pic.twitter.com/81OnUcd0X1
— ULA ( @ulalaunch)May 20 , 2015
In total dividing line to the closelipped space plane is the Planetary Society ’s LightSail , one of ten CubeSats that made up the appurtenant load . CubeSatsare petite satellite value ten cm ( four inches ) to a side and weighing under 1.5 kilograms ( 3 punt ) . TheLightSailis write of three CubeSats bundled together with four deployable Mylar solar canvas comprehend a total of 32 square meters ( 344 square feet).The Planetary Society is get a saturated attempt at transparencyincluding dog selective information and didactics onhow to spot the minuscule satellitewhen its canvas are deployed .
Solar sail spread out during assembly. Image credit:Justin Foley
Solar sail part in a personal manner correspondent to traditional sails in the wind here on Earth : the big , contemplative textile bounces photon , using that momentum to propel the spacecraft . By reflecting light off the mirrored sails , the craft receives a bantam boost of acceleration . While not much at any trice , the uninterrupted thrust tolerate the spacecraft to build up turgid speeds over farseeing period of time .
For this exam missionary station , the LightSail will be too low to in good order solar sail , getting caught up in atmospheric drag . alternatively , this is a shakedown - cruise , match out how the orbiter deploys its sail and other decisive systems checks in preparation for an extended deputation in 2016.The satellite will also be taking photographs . At this very initial leg , everything is wait dear .
The Planetary Society is aiming to set up $ 1.2 million of the externalise $ 5.45 million needed their LightSail projection through crowd - funding . The ongoing campaignwants to take this beyond a proof - of - concept deputation by paying for space vehicle construction , consolidation , and examination ; orbital mathematical process ; data collection , psychoanalysis , and publication ; and public outreach projects .
Alex Diaz and Riki Munakata test sail deployment on the LightSail spacecraft. Image credit: The Planetary Society
The other nine CubeSats deployed as part of the launch are the USS Langley , which will demonstrate the content to host a internet server ; Ballistically Reinforced Communication Satellite – Propulsion Test Unit ( BRICSat - P ) , which will characterise the performance of tiny pulse plasma thruster ; ParkinsonSat ( Psat ) , a communicating orbiter with a pair of transponder for the Amateur Satellite Service ; Globalstar Evaluation And Risk Reduction Spacecraft ( GEARRS ) , a presentment of command and control technology in low orbit satellites ; a duo of AeroCube-8s to shew a carbon carbon nanotube and scalable ion electrospray actuation system of rules ; and a trio of Optical CubeSats acting as calibration objective for orbital debris study .
launch report
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