A recent RFI from NASA calls for information on suppliers able to produce solar sail systems suitable for use with CubeSats.
A CubeSat is a very small satellite with a mass no more than 1.33 kilograms. Their uses to date have been many and varied – a list of CubeSat missions can be viewed here.
While CubeSats have usually been used in low-Earth orbit, NASA wants the solar sails to propel CubeSats as part of interplanetary robotic exploration.
NASA is requesting solar sails measuring 10 meters by 10 meters if possible – and it may be quite a feat to pack such a device into the limited space available. Some of the other requirements:
“The membrane shall be fabricated from a space-durable, tear-resistant or tear-tolerant material designed for an operational lifetime of at least 2 years in a deep space environment (< 2 AU from the Sun) that may include operations at or near the Moon. The support structure shall deploy the sail membrane, and keep the deployed sail flat and relatively free of wrinkles."
In a Q&A paper on the RFI, NASA makes it clear the project is not for kicks and giggles.
“The goal is NOT a CubeSat technology demonstration. We are interested in state of the art solar sail technology that may be used for mission implementation.”
The first successful deployment of a solar sail occurred in 2010 when Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA’s) “IKAROS ” successfully unfurled its solar sail and was propelled by solar pressure. That solar sail was 14 metres in diameter and used material incredibly thin – 0.0075 mm; thinner than human hair.
NASA’s first foray into solar sail technology saw fruition in 2011 with the NanoSail-D.
Image credit: Bjørn Pedersen, NTNU
