NASA’s Solar Sail Demo- a Diamond in the SkyNASA’s Solar Sail Demo. NASA

Like a diamond in the sky: How to spot NASA’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System demo in orbit.

NASA’s solar sail is experimenting with new technologies in low Earth orbit, such as a composite boom system that holds a four-part sail.

This spacecraft is testing advanced materials that use sunlight for propulsion by harnessing photons from the Sun. Unlike solar panels, solar sails let small spacecraft “ride on sunlight,” removing the need for rocket fuel or traditional propellants. This method of propulsion could allow for more affordable deep-space missions, expanding access to space.

NASA’s Solar Sail Demo- a Diamond in the SkyNASA’s Solar Sail Demo. NASA

Our Solar Sail is currently orbiting Earth, slowly tumbling as expected while the team characterizes its boom and sails. You can #SpotTheSail intermittently as it passes overhead using our tool in the #NASA_App. Learn more: https://t.co/7jXKqa19Hl pic.twitter.com/XfVetMBNMW

— NASA Ames (@NASAAmes) September 5, 2024

source NASA