NASA has unveiled the first images of its Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) as it orbits the Earth at an altitude of approximately 600 miles. The device is currently in a slow tumble phase, but this is all part of the larger plan. With the assistance of a new feature in NASA’s mobile app, interested individuals may even be able to spot the sail as it passes overhead.
Launched in April, the ACS3 has been spinning through its sun-synchronous orbit while engineers monitor its equipment and prepare for the next stages of deployment. This prototype sail is designed to pave the way for larger versions that could potentially transport satellites and spacecraft throughout the solar system. Before scaling up for future missions, NASA must ensure that the ACS3’s fundamental dynamics are reliable.
Solar sails have long been known for their ability to harness the Sun’s energy emissions to propel cargo at high speeds without the need for additional fuel. The ACS3 prototype features collapsible booms made of carbon fiber-reinforced composite polymers, supporting an 860-square-foot sheet of thin plastic for solar energy collection.
Despite its size, the ACS3’s compact transport packaging allows for easy deployment in orbit. The booms will extend once engineers give the green light, followed by the activation of the sail’s attitude control system to stabilize its orbit. NASA encourages enthusiasts to try spotting the ACS3 as it orbits the planet, with the mobile app now offering a tracker to assist in locating it. Those who manage to capture a photo of the sail overhead are encouraged to share it online using the #SpotTheSail hashtag.
