The Advanced Composite Solar Sail System was launched on Tuesday, April 23, by NASA. Photo: LR/NASA composition
Space travel still has many mysteries to solve and, as the years go by, humans continue to create new technologies that allow them to travel and discover the deepest part of our solar system. For this reason, NASA launched its new ACS3 satellite last Tuesday, April 23.
The new experimental mission called Solar Sailwhich is currently in orbit, seeks to test a new propulsion system that guarantees to improve travel in space, and thus make it faster and less expensive than currently.
What is the goal of NASA’s Solar Sail mission?
During this mission the ACS3 of the POTwhich is designed to evaluate new deployable materials and structures using a solar sail propulsion system. This experiment includes the use of new composite plumes, which are essential for the deployment of the sail once the device reaches orbit.
On the other hand, the RocketLab Electronwho wears the ACS3will be in charge of placing the satellite at an altitude of 965 km above the Earth to test the solar sail, since the orbit must be high enough so that the minimum force generated by sunlight can overcome atmospheric resistance and thus the ship gain altitude.
Launch of NASA’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System. Photo: X
“This technology sparks the imagination, reinventing the whole idea of sailing and applying it to space travel. Demonstrating the capabilities of solar sails and lightweight composite barriers is the next step in using this technology to inspire future missions.” “, he mentioned Rudy Aquilinaproject director of the solar sail mission in POT.
Under that same logic, the POT reported through the program Small Spacecraft Technology that, if the deployment of the solar sail goes as planned, it will motivate new larger-scale missions to the Moon already Mars with the same system.
How do NASA solar sails work?
He Advanced Composite Solar Sail System It works in the same way as the boom of a sailboat, with the difference that it captures the power of the light of the Sun instead of the wind. These solar sails work on the basis of photons emitted by the Sun, which generates small bursts that could propel a spacecraft along the Solar system.
Although the force provided by sunlight is minimal, in the vacuum of outer space, where there is no air resistance, this force can build up and be enough to propel the spacecraft.
On the other hand, the ACS3 It can be oriented to take advantage of sunlight in different ways, which allows maneuvers and changes in the ship’s trajectory.
Likewise, sails are ultralight structures that can be deployed in space and are made of reflective materials. In that sense, the POT announced that the solar sail It will measure approximately 80 square meters in diameterand the integrated cameras will be able to record the entire deployment.
Prototype of the Solar Sail System. Photo: NASA
What can the Solar Sail System contribute to space travel?
He Solar Sail System offers multiple advantages for space travel, mainly due to its fuel-free propulsion capability. This would significantly reduce the mass of the spacecraft by eliminating the need to transport large amounts of fuel.
Furthermore, by not depending on fuel, Solar sails enable continuous, long-duration missionsideal for extended exploration of the solar system and beyond, including unmanned missions to asteroids and comets.
Another important advantage of solar sails is the reduction in costs and increase in accessibility to space travel. By minimizing dependence on fuel, it opens up possibilities for organizations with more limited budgets to conduct space missions, as well as maximizing the operational efficiency of the missions.
