Pictures of IKAROS (solar sail) successfully deployed

[Brandonv]

Solar Sails once only existed in science-fiction, but not any longer. IKAROS has successfully deployed it's solar sail, which will be used to propel the craft on it's six month journey to Venus.

Pictures of IKAROS deployed in space.

I can remember reading about solar sails in Popular Science when I was a kid, and it is amazing to see pictures of a real sail in space.

 

[ProtoAvatar]

It took long enough, considering that the physics principles were fully worked out by the time you read 'Popular science'.

It is an achievement (a very cool one) for the japanese Jaxa and, indirectly, a minus point for Nasa, who worked on solar sails for some time now and is nowhere close to lauch one.

The planetary society seems to be getting close to lauching their own solar sail, too:
http://www.centauri-dreams.org/?p=12722

 

[Dac]

Do we know if its actually working yet (i.e. propelling itself through space)? Or will it take some time to find out?

 

[ProtoAvatar]

So far, the sail was only deployed.
It propelling itself through space is guaranteed by basic laws of physics.
If the sail can be maneuvered in a specific direction is about to be tested.

 

[James Bond]

How long until it gets to Cardassia?

 

[STR]

How long until it gets to Cardassia?

If it started in Bajor, and used real physics...umm...500,000 earth years.

 

[T J]

What we need now is a stable wormhole parked next to Earth...

Nevermind.