NASA is currently testing an innovative sail system that utilizes solar energy to propel spacecraft through space. The world’s most advanced solar sail spacecraft launched on April 24, taking off on Rocket Lab’s Electron booster from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand as part of the Beginning Of The Swarm mission.
NASA’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) is a significant advancement, with tension poles made from extremely light polymer composite materials and a special configuration for stowage to make the system lighter and more stable. ACS3 is the size of a microwave but can open a thin plastic sail in about 25 minutes, spanning 80 square meters with a 7-meter stretchable pole. This solar sail design will be specifically tested in this project.
The tensioning poles of the solar sail act like sailboat masts, keeping the sails taut to collect solar energy. The poles fold compactly to overcome the challenge of fitting a large-scale sail into a rocket’s cargo compartment. Engineers use a pulling system to open the pole and hold the sail while onboard cameras record the process. The project aims to evaluate a new solar sail design and measure its thrust in low orbit, as well as test the toughness of the composite tension pole.
After successful subsystem testing, ACS3 will spend multiple weeks testing its ability to raise and lower its orbit. If successful, NASA plans to scale up this design for interstellar travel.
