{"id":11899,"date":"2024-09-09T12:10:15","date_gmt":"2024-09-09T16:10:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zobi.alcowep.com\/bourtagshdrevxnls658739\/like-a-diamond-in-the-sky-how-to-spot-nasas-solar-sail-demo-in-orbit\/"},"modified":"2024-09-09T12:10:15","modified_gmt":"2024-09-09T16:10:15","slug":"like-a-diamond-in-the-sky-how-to-spot-nasas-solar-sail-demo-in-orbit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zobi.alcowep.com\/bourtagshdrevxnls658739\/like-a-diamond-in-the-sky-how-to-spot-nasas-solar-sail-demo-in-orbit\/","title":{"rendered":"Like a Diamond in the Sky: How to Spot NASA\u2019s Solar Sail Demo in Orbit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Like a Diamond in the Sky: How to Spot NASA\u2019s Solar Sail Demo in Orbit<\/h2>\n

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NASA\u2019s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System is seen orbiting Earth in this 13-second exposure photograph, Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, from Arlington, Virginia. The mission team confirmed the spacecraft\u2019s unique composite boom system unfurled its reflective sail on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, accomplishing a critical milestone in the agency\u2019s demonstration of next-generation solar sail technology that will allow small spacecraft to \u201csail on sunlight.\u201d Just as a sailboat is powered by wind in a sail, a spacecraft can use the pressure of sunlight on a solar sail for propulsion. This technology demonstration serves as a pathfinder for future missions powered by solar sail technology.<\/div>\n
NASA\/Bill Ingalls<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Now that its reflective sail has deployed fully open in orbit, the\u00a0Advanced Composite Solar Sail System<\/a>\u00a0can be seen in the night sky from many locations across the world!<\/p>\n

Stargazers can join NASA\u2019s #SpotTheSail campaign by using the\u00a0NASA app on mobile platforms to find out when the spacecraft will be visible at their location. The app, which is free to use and available on\u00a0iOS<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Android<\/a>,\u00a0provides a location-specific schedule of upcoming sighting opportunities. A built-in augmented reality tool points users to the location of the spacecraft in real time.<\/p>\n

Can you spot the solar sail? Share your viewing experience online using the hashtag\u00a0#SpotTheSail<\/strong>\u00a0for a chance to be featured on NASA\u2019s website and social media channels.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how to use the sighting prediction tool:\u00a0<\/p>\n