Good Luck, Nanosail-D!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11/18/2010

CONTACT:
Mat Kaplan
Email: mat.kaplan@planetary.org

NASA's Nanosail-D is scheduled to launch tomorrow, and the Planetary Society wishes the mission every success. Developed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight and Ames Research Centers, Nanosail helped inspire the Planetary Society’s LightSail spacecraft, which is scheduled to be ready early in 2011 to carry out the first solar sail-propelled flight in Earth orbit.

"Nanosail has opened the way for a class of advanced spacecraft that someday may lead us to the stars. Its successful flight will advance solar sail technology and may lead to new applications for removing orbital debris through atmospheric drag," said Louis Friedman, Project Director of LightSail and co-founder of the Planetary Society.

Read more of Friedman's statement about the launch of Nanosail-D.

About the Planetary Society

The Planetary Society has inspired millions of people to explore other worlds and seek other life. Today, its international membership makes the non-governmental Planetary Society the largest space interest group in the world. Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray and Louis Friedman founded the Planetary Society in 1980. Bill Nye, a long time member of the Planetary Society's Board, serves as CEO.

The Planetary Society
85 South Grand
Pasadena, CA 91105 USA
Web: www.planetary.org
Voice: (626) 793-5100
Fax: (626) 793-5528
Email: tps@planetary.org

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