June 21, 2005
Launch Set for Solar Sail Spacecraft
Posted in Space/Science/Astronomy by RAT | Comments (2)
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PASADENA, Calif. - Scientists in Russia and California worked on final preparations for the planned launch of the first spacecraft propelled by sunlight.
If all goes as planned, Cosmos 1 was to be launched early Tuesday afternoon, California time, and carried into Earth's orbit by a converted intercontinental ballistic missile, according to the Planetary Society, which is undertaking the nearly $4 million experiment.
The missile was being launched from a submerged Russian submarine in the Barents Sea. Russian, American and Czech ground stations will track the craft.
Solar sails are seen as a means for achieving interstellar flight by using the gentle push from the continuous stream of light particles known as photons. Though gradual, the constant light pressure should allow a spacecraft to build up great speed over time, and cover great distances.
Solar sails do not rely on the solar wind — the stream of ionized particles flowing from the sun — which moves more slowly than light and with much less force.
Read more: Launch Set for Solar Sail Spacecraft - Yahoo! News
BLAST FROM THE PAST! Links to entries with similar content, maybe...
Solar Sail to Launch March 1st, 2005.....
Cassini Spacecraft Arrives at Saturn
Spacecraft Lands Successfully on Asteroid
Spacecraft Makes Flyby of Saturn's Moon
Flawed drawings caused spacecraft crash
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Comments
Space is cool but who cares? The White Sox are 9 games in first place and rolling! 2005 is getting better and better!
GO GO GO GO White Sox!!!!!!
The damn thing crashed anyway... What a piece of shit!
Have you bought one of our Die Hard Southsider ribbons for your car yet??? http://www.diehardribbons.com
We also have Die Hard Northsiders!
GO CUBS! ;-)
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