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Will Solar Power Lead to the Future of Space Exploration?
Highlights The Planetary Society launched the second-ever solar sail spacecraft last month, LightSail 2. The unique design could transform deep space exploration as it does not need fuel or expensive rockets. The spacecraft operates using only the power of photons from the Sun. LightSail 2 deploys a sail made from Mylar that unfolds to almost…
By Sciences · August 1, 2019, 5:17 PM UTCB2bScienceSolarSpace Exploration
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Key takeaways
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Highlights The Planetary Society launched the second-ever solar sail spacecraft last month, LightSail 2.
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The unique design could transform deep space exploration as it does not need fuel or expensive rockets.
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The spacecraft operates using only the power of photons from the Sun.
Highlights
- The Planetary Society launched the second-ever solar sail spacecraft last month, LightSail 2.
- The unique design could transform deep space exploration as it does not need fuel or expensive rockets.
- The spacecraft operates using only the power of photons from the Sun.
- LightSail 2 deploys a sail made from Mylar that unfolds to almost 300 square feet
- The spacecraft is expect to orbit for about a year before falling back to Earth’s atmosphere.
- The organization is hopeful that the technology will be applied to missions searching for life in the solar system.
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