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Science NASA ready to fly a kite in space with NanoSail-D
Science NASA ready to fly a kite in space with NanoSail-D | NASA ready to fly a kite in space with NanoSail-D |
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| by William Atkins | |
| Saturday, 28 June 2008 | |
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Page 2 of 2 If successful, the NanoSail-D would lead to missions of exploration where solar pressure is used to propel spacecraft throughout the solar system. However, once a solar sail is deployed it can be propelled forward as long as the mission requires because the effects of the Sun are felt everywhere in the solar system. Space scientists contend what is really more important is a solar sail will eventually travel at speeds much faster than traditional fuels and travel distances far greater, in the same amount of time, than any rocket-dependent spacecraft. Montgomery states, "It's not so much about how far a sail will go compared to a rocket; the key is how fast. The Voyagers have escaped the solar system, and they were sent by rockets, but it's taken more than three decades to do it. A sail launched today would probably catch up with them in a single decade. Sails are slower to get started though." He adds, "So, for example, between the Earth and the moon, rockets might be preferred for missions with a short timeline. It's a trip of days for rockets, but months for a solar sail. The rule of thumb, therefore, would be to use rockets for short hops and solar sails for the long hauls." [NASA] Information about the NanoSail-D mission is found at the “NanoSail-D ” website of the Center for Robotic Exploration and Space Technologies (CREST). CREST is “a consortium of academic institutions with a common interest in using student-centered projects to develop advanced technologies and to conduct exciting science missions using spacecraft and robotic systems.” It is located at NASA Research Park, in Silicon Valley, California. In addition, amateur radio operators can receive signals from the spacecraft. Go to http://www.nanosaild.org for additional information.
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