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NASA launches solar-powered spacecraft to demonstrate solar propulsion technology

India TV News — April 25, 2024, 07:00 AM UTC

Summary: NASA successfully launched a solar-powered spacecraft using Rocket Lab's Electron rocket from New Zealand on April 24. The spacecraft, equipped with NASA's Advanced Composite Solar Sail System, will be installed 1,000 kilometers above Earth. The mission aims to demonstrate solar propulsion technology, reducing reliance on heavy propulsion systems and enabling lower-cost missions of extended duration. Solar sail technology harnesses sunlight for energy, potentially eliminating the need for massive fuel tanks.

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Timeline:

  1. [4.9]
    NASA tests solar sail for sunlight propulsion in space travel (TweakTown)
    17d
    Source
  2. [3.1]
    NASA's Solar Sail makes first contact from space (Gizmodo)
    17d
    Source
  3. [4.3]
    NASA enhances solar sail system with advanced materials for launch (Composites Manufacturing Magazine)
    19d
    Source
  4. [4.8]
    NASA deploys Advanced Composite Solar Sail System for spacecraft propulsion (IFLScience)
    22d
    Source
  5. [3.5]
    NASA deploys 9-meter solar sail for space travel testing (ScienceAlert)
    23d
    Source
  6. [3.2]
    NASA launches solar sail spacecraft for sustainable space exploration (Adda247)
    23d
    Source
  7. [4.7]
    NASA launched solar sail spacecraft for propulsion testing (News18)
    24d
    Source
  8. [4.3]
    NASA launches solar sail spacecraft for cost-effective missions (Mint)
    25d
    Source
  9. [3.6]
    NASA's ACS3 solar-sailing tech launches on Rocket Lab (Space.com)
    25d
    Source
  10. [6.3]
    NASA launching solar sail CubeSat for space propulsion (NASA)
    26d

    ScoresSource
  11. [4.2]
    NASA launching ACS3 solar sail for efficient space exploration (LatestLY)
    26d
    Source