NASA Announces Plans to Launch the Largest Solar Sail Ever Created
NASA recently announced plans to advance the technology by rolling out the largest solar sail ever created - in 2015, the next generation solar sail spacecraft will deploy and operate a sail with an area 7 times larger than any that has been flown in space. NASAs Solar Sail mission is one of three proposed Technology Demonstration Missions set to "transform space communications, deep space navigation and in-space propulsion capabilities". Read more
NASA Picks Three Proposals for Flight Demonstration
NASA has selected three proposals, including one from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., as Technology Demonstration Missions to transform space communications, deep space navigation and in-space propulsion capabilities. The projects will develop and fly a space solar sail, deep space atomic clock, and space-based optical communications system. These crosscutting flight demonstrations were selected because of their potential to provide tangible, near-term products and infuse high-impact capabilities into NASA's future space operations missions. By investing in high payoff, disruptive technology that industry does not have today, NASA matures the technology required for its future missions while proving the capabilities and lowering the cost of government and commercial space activities. Read more
NASA Media Telecon To Announce Technology Demonstration Missions
NASA will hold a media teleconference at 2 p.m. EDT on Monday, Aug. 22, to announce proposals selected in the agency's Technology Demonstration Mission program. These crosscutting technology demonstrations were selected because of their potential to infuse high-impact capabilities into NASA's future space operations missions. Flight demonstrations will advance the technology readiness of these systems, providing tangible products and capabilities ready for infusion into NASA missions. Read more