NASA’s composite solar sail has successfully deployed in space, after a successful test of its sail-hoisting boom system. The solar sail, which is made of reflective polymer sheets, harnesses the energy of sunlight to propel a spacecraft, allowing it to change its altitude and position. The system does not require propellant, making it a cost-effective option for long-duration, deep-space travel and exploration.
The solar sail is part of a 12U CubeSat made by NanoAvionics and launched by Rocket Lab in April 2024. The sail is deployed using a novel boom system made of flexible polymer and carbon fiber materials, which can be rolled up for launch and unrolled in space. The fully deployed sail covers 860 square feet, about half the size of a tennis court. The NASA team will test the sail’s maneuvering capabilities over the next few weeks, which will help guide future solar sail-equipped missions. The technology has potential applications for future solar sails as large as 5,400 square feet and could be used as a framing structure for buildings or antenna poles on the moon or Mars.