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NASA'S SOLAR SAIL SPREADS ITS WINGS IN SPACE

How It Works UK

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Issue 195

Over four months after launching to space, a solar-sailing spacecraft has spread its wings above our planet.

- MEREDITH GAROFALO

NASA'S SOLAR SAIL SPREADS ITS WINGS IN SPACE

NASA’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) caught a ride to space on 24 April on Rocket Lab’s Electron vehicle, and at the end of August NASA shared that the technology reached full deployment. On 29 August the team obtained data indicating the test of the sail-hoisting boom system was a success.

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