Messages From Earth: "Sail away" with Lightsail and IKAROS

[StarfarerBill]

"Lightsail, a project of The Planetary Society, will merge the ultra-light technology of nanosats with the ultra-large technology of solar sails setting a course to the stars. LightSail-1 is the beginning of an innovative program that will launch three separate spacecraft over the course of several years.

"IKAROS (Interplanetary Kite-craft Accelerated by Radiation Of the Sun) is a solar sail which gathers sunlight as propulsion by means of a large sail. This solar powered sail craft will employ both photon propulsion and thin film solar power generation during its interplanetary cruise. KAROS will be launched together with the Venus Climate Orbiter, 'Akatsuki' in fiscal 2010 by JAXA.

"People around the world are encouraged to send names alone or in combination with a message."

http://planetary.org/special/fromearth/sail

[katsy]

1. This is a great project for kids.

Looking at the message option now. How about this:

"Send lawyers, guns and money. The shit has hit the fan." - - - the late, great Warren Zevon


Just kidding. I'll let my kids share their dreams here. I'm just too jaded.

[StarfarerBill]

2. Naw. Send your message, too; you're a member of this crazy species, as well.

:)

[katsy]

7. LOL.

:pals:

[Fumesucker]

3. Beam me up Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here.. n/t

[Norrin Radd]

4. I sent:

Be excellent to each other, and...party on, dudes!

[Ichingcarpenter]

5. My Name is already on Mars

It was sent on a CD along with my students on both the
Mars Surveyor 2001 Lander and Mars 98 Polar Lander.
They have a new one where you can participate on which is
now on a microchip....


NASA now gives anyone the opportunity to send their name to Mars. Just enter your name, country and zip code into the form, and your name – along with many others – will be included in a microchip on the Mars Science Laboratory rover which will be heading to Mars in 2011.

http://marsparticipate.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/participate/sendyourname/


I think these programs are cool.
So I'll kick your thread

[katsy]

6. Bookmarked.

Will get the kids on this righrt away.

They inspired me last night with their thoughts.

Thanks