Solar Sailing Through Space

LightSail 2 - Solar Sailing in Space

Source:  The Planetary Society's LightSail in Orbit

Solar Powered Space Missions
This green energy technology has the potential to be disruptive innovation. It's a solar powered sail invented by the non-profit Planetary Society in California, led by the Science Guy Bill Nye.  The LightSail 2 CubeSat spacecraft successfully deployed its solar sail a few days ago in space.  It's the first spacecraft to be propelled by sunlight alone.  This is very important science because the use of solar sails to convert solar wind into thrust could save fuel and provide clean solar power for spacecrafts on long space missions.

Solar Sailing

Source:  The Planetary Society - image from LightSail

The small spacecraft is the size of a toaster.  It was hurled into space aboard a Space X Falcon Heavy rocket in late June.  A few days ago, flight controllers on the ground in California fully deployed the solar sail from the satellite into space.  The sail is the size of a boxing ring and the system is now orbiting the Earth solely on the power of the sun.  This system is designed to test solar sailing technology and so far it's working very well.  It's in full orbit and has already started relaying  pictures back to Earth.

Photon Power
The LightSail 2 is  a square composed of four triangles and made of aluminized Mylar.  When the sunlight's protons hit the Sail, the pressure creates solar wind and pushes the craft forward. It will be in orbit for the next year.  You can track LightSail 2's progress, location and conditions, on The Planetary Society's website  at http://www.planetary.org/blogs/jason-davis/ls2-sail-deployment-live.html  For a free Kindle borrow of my latest book "Big Space News 2019", go to amazon.com/author/ekane 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Navigation Display on Car Dashboard

Image
VIZR & Smartphone Advanced Display Source: VIZR Heads-Up Display Gadget VIZR is an advanced navigation display that grips to the car dashboard. You put your smartphone on VIZR and it turns your smartphone into a transparent display that lets you navigate and drive while never taking your eyes off the road.  The heads-up display (HUD) uses the same technology that fighter pilots use to stay focused.  The system offers a number of apps to view such as navigational tools like GPS, street maps, traffic conditions and speed. Distracted Driving Over 424,000 drivers are injured yearly by distracted driving.  For instance, by looking back and forth between a screen on the car seat and the road.  This new piece of smart gadget technology is designed to change the dynamic and enable the driver to navigate and keep their eyes on the road for greater driving safety.
Read more

E-Friendly Paddleboard Easy Eddy

Image
New Modular Paddleboard that's Good for the Environment Source:  Easy Eddy Easy Eddy Easy Eddy is a modular, standup paddleboard that breaks into three parts for easy handling, transport and storage.  It's specifically designed to overcome the cumbersomeness of bulky traditional boards. . Massachusetts based startup Artech's water paddleboard is a  new, green innovation. It's made from reclaimed and recyclable polyethylene, making it good for the environment. The board is ten feet long and takes less than 60 seconds to snap together. Enjoying the Environment and Not Hurting the Environment Easy Eddy weighs 37 pounds and fits into most cars, SUVs and boats. And it can support weights up to 200 pounds. Among the features included with the board are an action-cam mount, full length deck pad, sealed storage compartment, water bottle receptacle and bungie straps to secure items onboard.  Artech is in the kickstarter phase with Easy Eddy.  The planned retail price
Read more

Netting a Drone - US Army Countermeasure

Image
US Army Invention - Drone Defense Source:  US Army Drone Netting Device Drone Netting Grenade U.S Army researchers have created a 40 mm grenade to protect the armed forces from menacing, enemy or rogue drones.  The defensive drone grenade takes out the drone with a weighted net. Countermeasure - Net Bagging a Drone The net is spring loaded and ejects from the front of the grenade when it nears the drone target.  The net can be triggered remotely by a person on the ground or automatically by an onboard proximity sensor. Drone Defense The net springs open to 30 feet in diameter.  It traps the drone, causing it to fall to the ground.  Word of this new drone defensive technology has just been released.  For more news stories on important innovations, go to  amazon.com/author/ekane
Read more