US spacecraft’s solar sail successfully deploys 0 SHARES Share it! Share TweetBy Agence France-PresseA new spacecraft’s solar sail successfully deployed Tuesday one month after launch, as it journeys around earth carrying a small satellite. LightSail 2’s solar sail has an area of 32 square meters and is made from Mylar, a brand of polyester that has been on the market since the 1950s. The solar sail will remain in orbit around Earth and, if all goes as planned, will gradually increase its altitude thanks to pressure from solar radiation on the sail. As per its role in the future, Nye says the solar sail could one day be employed to send robotic missions beyond our solar system.

Source: Manila Bulletin July 24, 2019 01:07 UTC