NASA to demonstrate next-generation technology for “space yachts” What will change?

On April 24, 2024, Japan time, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) microsatellite “ACS3” for a mission called “Advanced Composite Solar Sail System” was launched on Rocket Lab’s “Electron” rocket. Ta. In this mission, we will load the technology necessary for future solar sails onto a satellite the size of a school bag (a 12U CubeSat) and demonstrate it in space. What will this technology change?[Last updated: April 24, 2024, 13:00]

[▲ Artist’s impression of ACS3 with solar sail deployed (Credit: NASA/Aero Animation/Ben Schweighart)]

Solar sail is a technology that uses the solar radiation pressure generated when a sail unfurled in space is exposed to sunlight as propulsion force, and is also called a “space yacht.” A major feature is that it does not require the heavy and expensive propulsion systems (engines, propellant tanks, etc.) used in conventional spacecraft. The advantages of using solar sails as a propulsion system are considered to be that long-term missions can be carried out without using propellants, and that missions can be carried out at low cost.

The larger the sail, the more sunlight it receives and the faster it can accelerate, but on the other hand, there are limitations to the material and structure of the boom (the mast on a sailboat) that supports the sail. The boom that NASA is trying to demonstrate is made of flexible polymer and carbon fiber, and has the characteristics of being stiff and light. When the sails installed on ACS3 are unfolded, the size is less than half the size of a single tennis court (approximately 80 square meters).

[▲ Deployment test of the solar sail installed on ACS3 (Credit: NASA)]

The boom design has the potential to support a sail the size of a basketball court (500 square meters), and the technology demonstrated during the mission could one day support a sail the size of half a soccer field (2,000 square meters). ), NASA explains. This solar sail technology is also being considered for use in space weather early warning satellites, which have been attracting attention in recent years.

In addition, the newly designed boom is lightweight and can be stored compactly, and is expected to be used for purposes other than solar sails. Examples of this include the possibility of using it as a building material for constructing settlements on the Moon or Mars, and as poles for communication antennas used in lunar surface exploration. In this way, the solar sail technology demonstrated in this mission has the potential to be widely used in future space exploration.