NEA Scout, NASA's solar sail mission, readies for launch on Artemis 1 (earthsky.org)
Posted by Lia De La Cruz
August 29, 2021
NEA Scout readies for launch
Space fans still hope NASA’s long-awaited Artemis program will get off the ground before the end of this year. The ultimate mission is a human return to the moon. But that’s not the only quest of the Artemis program, which will also enable several secondary payloads to hitch a ride to space. One of these is NASA’s Near-Earth Asteroid Scout – or NEA Scout – due to launch with the uncrewed test flight Artemis 1 no earlier than November 26, 2021. NEA Scout is a shoebox-sized cubesat that will navigate space and visit a near-Earth asteroid, all while sailing on sunlight. NEA Scout’s voyage will take approximately two years. But, by its end, it’ll provide researchers with an arsenal of data on near-Earth asteroids and how solar sail propulsion works in outer space.
***
Sailing on sunlight with NEA Scout
The cubesat is equipped with stainless steel alloy booms that will deploy its solar sail when prompted. That sail is plastic, coated in an aluminum film, thinner than a human hair, and about the size of a racquetball court. All solar sails generate thrust using the same solar-powered physics. Photons – energized particles of sunlight – reflect and bounce off the sail, which creates a constant push. It’s a slow and diminutive process but can accelerate the spacecraft to high speeds over time. Johnson added:
This type of propulsion is especially useful for small, lightweight spacecraft that cannot carry large amounts of conventional rocket propellant.
***
more: https://earthsky.org/space/nasa-prepares-nea-scout-for-artemis-1-launch/?utm_source=EarthSky+News
= new reply since forum marked as read
I remember reading this when I was 12, stuck in bed with measles. Here's an excerpt:
How does the Space Kite work? The space kite uses cosmic radiation as a power source. It uses a rocket to launch itself above the atmosphere to where the cosmic radiation is intense enough to provide thrust.
Tom develops the idea of a space kite as a solution to the huge costs of space travel after helping some boys with their kite:
He waved good-by and resumed his homeward stroll. He found himself wondering if the boys' dreams would ever come true.
"Not if we can't beat the cost factor in space travel!" Tom reflected ruefully. "Kite flying is sure cheaper!"
Kites! The word exploded in Tom's mind. He stopped short as an exciting idea struck him full force. Instead of regarding cosmic rays as a dangerous drawback to space flight, why not make use of them just as a kite makes use of the wind?
I wonder if a future scientist had the measles at the same time I did.