NASA's experimental solar sail is currently in trouble. The American space agency has just revealed that the machine, which consists of a CubeSat 12U type nanosatellite and an 80 m² solar sail, presents a deformation at one of the structure's composite masts.
The sail has been deployed since last August
The spacecraft entered a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of approximately 966 kilometers and then deployed its solar sail last August.
“ As the solar sail has fully deployed to its square shape about half the size of a tennis court, the mission team assesses what appears to be a slight curvature on one of the four masts », Explains NASA. “ This deformation likely occurred when the masts and sail were stretched toward the spacecraft during deployment. The analysis indicates that the curvature may have partially recovered in the weeks after the masts were deployed, while the spacecraft was slowly tilting »
No fears for the rest of the mission, according to NASA
NASA engineers believe that this incident does not compromise the continuation of the ACS3 mission. They ensure that the vessel maintains its ability to maneuver to carry out the various planned tests.
The ship's attitude control system has been disabled so as not to disrupt the deployment of the sail. It is he who manages the maneuvers which make it possible to orient the antennas for communications with the Earth or the positioning of the solar panels facing the Sun to recharge the batteries.
Until it can be restored, ACS3 operates in low power mode to reserve power for priority operations.
“ When the attitude control system is reactivated, the spacecraft will be able to aim its high-bandwidth radio antenna more precisely toward the ground station as it flies over it during its brief communication windows with the mission team », Indicates NASA. “ At this point, the team will be able to collect even more data, calibrate the precise shape of the sail, and prepare to begin its navigation maneuvers. »
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