NASA’s new solar sail spacecraft, ACS3, could revolutionise space travel.
Launched in April, the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System has now opened its large, seven-meter-long solar sails while orbiting Earth. Unlike traditional rockets that use fuel, this spacecraft is powered by sunlight, similar to how a sailboat uses wind.
The ACS3 satellite is about the size of a microwave and is equipped with four solar sails that propel it forward. NASA is testing this renewable energy technology to see if it can be used for future missions. The spacecraft is orbiting at a height more than twice as far as the International Space Station, and NASA engineers will be checking its performance over the coming weeks.
The solar sail works by capturing energy from the Sun’s rays, making it an eco-friendly alternative for space travel. The ACS3 also has cameras so scientists can monitor its progress. You can even track its journey using NASA’s free app to spot it in the night sky!
