Lightsail successfully deployed a solar sail Bashny.Net

June 7, 2015 at 22:51 at the second attempt managed to uncover a solar sail experimental satellite Lightsail. The satellite was launched May 20 with 10 other satellites cubesat and had to reveal the sail in the second half of June. But a week later the satellite due to a programming error «hung" remotely to reboot failed and after 8 days it has restarted itself. It was decided to deploy the solar array ahead of schedule. Solar panels were opened.

But on June 5 satellite again "disappeared», latest telemetry showed that the satellite will not charge the battery. One version of this is explained in the shadow of the Earth's orbit, which did not allow the batteries to charge.

The management team tried several times to restart the satellite and 6 June satellite execute the command. Charge the battery did not allow the engine to enable the deployment of the sail, it was not clear whether the batteries are OK. A few hours later telemetry showed that the batteries are charged, all systems are OK. Disclosure of the sails had been scheduled for 21 hours in Moscow on June 7.





How is the disclosure of a solar sail shows this video.



4 nominated rod-tape-like measuring tape 4 meters long each, and pull the sail - four triangles of thin (4, 5 micron) film.



At the scheduled time, a team was sent to activate the motor. But telemetry showed - the motor is not fulfilled. The next flight of the satellite was about an hour, but the situation was complicated because satellite was seen near the horizon, which weakened radio and reduces the chances of a successful radio contact. It was the last attempt for the following 8-9 hours. Thereafter coil windings blind started when the satellite is not in the coverage area of ​​the two ground stations. But lucky - telemetry showed a motor.

Three beautiful lines of telemetry:
78: Motor_Current_Position = 67,029 (50%)
79: Camera_0_onOff = 1 (on)
80: Camera_1_onOff = 1 (on)
#LightSail - Jason Davis (jasonrdavis) 7 June 2015 blockquote>
 On one of the solar panels mounted camera, which should confirm the opening of the sail. While there is no picture - is expected to return in the reception area of ​​satellite earth stations at 8, 5:00.





This satellite Lightsail - this test flight, which tested the application of decisions, and that will be used in a satellite launched in 2016. The satellite is a 3-Unit CubeSat ie its size 10 x 10 x 30 cm. It has a square sail area of ​​32 square meters. It is expected that the reflection of the sail may be noticeable to the naked eye at sunset and sunrise. The management team encourages fans to try to remove the span astrophotography satellite to confirm the successful deployment of the sail.

Also, wondering if anyone can get us a sail deployment confirmation photo. We'll keep updating LightSail orbit predicts as we get them.- Jason Davis (jasonrdavis) June 7, 2015 blockquote >
 Still, they are asked to be on duty all radio amateurs and photography, radio data sent to lightsail@planetary.org.

To observe the reflection of the sails of the satellite you need to know the time and the conditions of observation, for the calculation of which can be used to program Orbitron TLE Lightsail , or use the service N2YO (you need to create an account to access settings). Program will show the direction and angle under what will be a satellite. The best moments for observation after sunset or before sunrise, when the observer is in the shade, and the satellite is illuminated by the Sun.





Source: geektimes.ru/post/251626/