Japan to launch cleantech space yacht satellite propelled by solar sail

Post date: May 1, 2010 7:03:00 AM

Ikaros

Japan is to launch a "space yacht"

propelled by solar particles

that bounce off its kite-shaped sails,

the country's space agency said

source: physorg.com

It is a hybrid technology of electricity and pressure',

Space yacht will be first craft to travel on 'solar waves' as it sets sail for Venus

A rocket carrying the Japanese craft will blast off from Tanegashima

Space Center on May 18. Once in space the short cylindrical pod

will separate from the rocket spinning up to 20 times a minute.

This will help it to unfold its flexible 46ft sail, which is thinner than

a human hair.

The square shaped sail is equipped with thin-film solar cells and

will use resistance created by the Sun's energy in much the same

way as wind propels a yacht through water. This will provide it with

enough thrust to hover and rotate.

'It is a hybrid technology of electricity and pressure', Japanese

Space Agency expert Yuichi Tsuda said. 'Solar sails are the

technology that realises space travel without fuel as long as we

have sunlight. The availability of electricity would enable us to

navigate farther and more effectively in the solar system.'