Ikaros Space Solar Sail Deployed

Scientists in Japan have successfully achieved the first solar sail deployment in history. The sail forms part of the space solar platform Ikaros (Interplanetary Kite-Craft Accelerated by Radiation Of the Sun), which left Earth on 20 May 2010.

The Ikaros sail extends to 200 square metres in area and – now it’s been unfurled – the next stage in its orbit will hopefully see it draw on space solar energy as a means of power.

Space solar propulsion has long been considered a fuel-free way of navigating around the Solar System and the scientists involved in Ikaros’ development and deployment will now be assessing if Ikaros can produce quantifiable acceleration units, along with other aspects of its performance such as responsiveness.

Solar Sail Power

According to a statement issued by JAXA – Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency – the solar sail’s spread began on June 3rd. Seven days later, the agency received data that confirmed that the sail was fully extended, and that the array of photovoltaic cells along its surface was allowing solar sail power to be created.

Ikaros solar sail expansion took place approximately seven million kilometres outside the Earth’s atmosphere and occurred in several stages. The sail forms a square shape and the four corners at the outer edges of the shape were flung outwards, to make a frame for the sail membrane to follow. The sail spins to keep its shape in place.

Ikaros: Space Solar Technology

Ikaros is ultimately intended to travel to the far side of the sun: a space solar technology journey that will take many months to complete. According to JAXA officials, the success of the Ikaros mission may prompt the deployment of the Akatsuki space solar craft in coming years.

“Solar sails are the technology that realises space travel without fuel as long as we have sunlight”, Yuichi Tsuda, representing JAXA, stated in April 2009.

“The availability of electricity would enable us to navigate farther and more effectively in the solar system.”

See also:

May Launch for Ikaros Solar Sail Technology