Spacecraft That Sail On Sunshine Under Development Written 4 June 2019
4 June 2019
NBC News reports that the June 22 launch of LightSail 2 “could be a prelude to a new era of spaceflight in which spacecraft forgo the rocket motors they’ve relied on for decades and simply sail on sunshine.” The Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye said, “This will be the first time navigating by light in Earth orbit.” He added, “We hope to increase the orbital energy or altitude, and change the inclination of the orbit by tacking the spacecraft like a sailboat.” (Image Credit: NASA)
Full Story (NBC News)
NBC News reports that the June 22 launch of LightSail 2 “could be a prelude to a new era of spaceflight in which spacecraft forgo the rocket motors they’ve relied on for decades and simply sail on sunshine.” The Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye said, “This will be the first time navigating by light in Earth orbit.” He added, “We hope to increase the orbital energy or altitude, and change the inclination of the orbit by tacking the spacecraft like a sailboat.” (Image Credit: NASA)
Full Story (NBC News)