Activism, DIY space, Space Systems

Update on Planetary Society’s LightSail project

Here is the latest update on the Planetary Society‘s LightSail project and links to the previous entries in the series:

lightsail_art_rs_compressed_f840LightSail artwork by Rick Sternbach

Here is a video showing a deployment test of the sail booms:

From the caption:

LightSail’s TRAC booms deploy during a test on June 2, 2014. The triangular booms, consisting of an alloy called elgiloy, crackle and pop as they expand. The slight motor hesitations are believed to be the result of a correctable processor overload. Video courtesy of the LightSail spacecraft team.