Bill Nye’s LightSail Deploys Its Sails
After surviving two communication failures that left it temporarily incapacitated in space, Bill Nye’s interplanetary LightSail project has finally deployed its solar sails. The spacecraft was launched into orbit last month to test a method of space travel that relies on streams of the sun’s photons to propel its four mylar sails. Just recently, those sails were successfully locked into place, marking a major milestone in the project’s timeline and effectively completing the mission. The sails’ ability to coast off of solar rays will be tested in a later mission, which is set to launch in 2016.
Via popsci.com link opens in a new window
