Satellite LightSail sent the first clear shot

In spite of the communication problems that occurred earlier satellite LightSail is now operating normally, and sends the first data to Earth. Now LightSail прислал first quality picture , test picture, which shows some of the details of the satellite. In particular, in the image visible cursor which should expand solar sails device.

It is worth recalling that the satellite includes four triangular sails. The system consists of just three satellites CubeSat - a modular device, already had time to become the standard. Total sail area is 32 m2.



Note that immediately after the launch of the satellite stopped because of a programming error developers. This remote reboot failed. Several days later, the satellite system restart on their own.

Now the satellite receives all the signals from the Earth, and transmits its own data. The discovery of a solar sail system should be carried out tomorrow.



This is the first image is distorted, sent by satellite. Probably the reason for distortion - low data rate i>

After the first flight will launch two versions of the device, which will be sent with the launch vehicle Falcon Heavy by SpaceX. This time the experts will check the operation of the principle of motion of the solar sail. It should be noted that the time of deployment of the sail will be lifted another companion, Prox-1.

The total cost of the project amounted to US $ 4 million, and investors were private individuals. Perhaps this project will help create not experienced, and used in the space industry ships, capable of carrying a man on long distances.

Source: geektimes.ru/post/251474/