IKAROS
AgencyJAXA
Year2010
TypeSolar sail demonstration
RocketH-IIA
CountryJapan
About the Mission
The first spacecraft propelled primarily by a solar sail in deep space. Its square sail, 14 meters on a side, unfurled in May 2010. Demonstrated that sunlight alone can accelerate and steer a craft. Thin film solar cells were embedded in the membrane. Opened a path to fuel free travel between planets.
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