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Small BodiesStories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
LightSail update: Three steps forward, one step back
The LightSail team has found potential workarounds to solve the spacecraft’s boom deployment problems, but more analysis lies ahead.
LightSail Update: Boom Deployment Diagnosis Continues
The LightSail team continues to investigate problems with the spacecraft’s boom deployment system that postponed a flight system test earlier this month.
LightSail update: Flight system test delayed
LightSail's flight system test has been delayed pending resolution of problems that cropped up during deployment of the spacecraft’s solar sail booms.
LightSail is happening, and I'll be your new guide
Today, I'm joining The Planetary Society full-time as a media producer. My first task is to become an embedded reporter for LightSail, the Society's solar sailing spacecraft.
LightSail presented at Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium
Chris Biddy from Stellar Exploration Inc. presented information about our LightSail project at the 2012 Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium.
Testing Sail Deployment
The first full scale deployment of the Planetary Society's LightSail 1 solar sail was conducted on March 4, 2011 at Stellar Exploration in San Luis Obispo, California.
LightSail 1 on NASA Short List for Upcoming Launch
NASA announced that the Planetary Society’s LightSail 1 solar sail mission is on their short list for upcoming launch opportunities. The missions selected are CubeSats destined for piggyback launches as part of NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative.
Nanosail-D released into space
NASA's Nanosail-D spacecraft surprised everyone, including its controllers, by suddenly deploying from its parent FASTSAT spacecraft and beginning its mission in space.
NASA's Nanosail to Fly this Week
NASA's Nanosail-D, an innovative development by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight and Ames Research Centers, is scheduled to launch on Friday -- and we wish them well.
A Marathon Day Two at the USA Science & Engineering Festival
Day Two of the USA Science & Engineering Festival, and it started with a game of
Lightsail 1 Lands on National Mall
The Planetary Society showcased our solar sail mission, Lightsail 1, at day one of the USA Science & Engineering Festival on Washington DC's National Mall.
Getting ready for the USA Science & Engineering Festival
The Planetary Society booth is ready to go for the USA Science & Engineering Festival being held this weekend on the National Mall in Washington DC.
LightSail Update: The International Solar Sailing Symposium
Japan's IKAROS team stole the show at the International Solar Sailing Symposium in New York City, where they announced that their spacecraft had achieved controlled solar sail flight.
Bill Nye Connects with Space People at IAC
The 61st International Astronautical Congress (IAC) is being held in Prague in the Czech Republic, and Bill Nye is attending on behalf of the Planetary Society.
LightSail team learns from IKAROS
While we were in New York for the International Solar Sailing Symposium last week, we held a meeting with the Japanese IKAROS team to discuss technical results and issues in our two projects.
From the Solar Sail Symposium in New York
This week, Bill Nye and I are attending the International Solar Sail Symposium at the New York College of Technology.
LightSail 1 Passes Critical Design Review
LightSail 1, the Planetary Society's new ultra-light Cubesat-based solar sail spacecraft, has passed its Critical Design Review.
Firming Up the Spacecraft Design
The LightSail 1 spacecraft development is proceeding well. Our engineering team has completed crucial milestones to building the vehicle that will demonstrate the value and potential of using sunlight alone to propel exploratory craft through space.
Akatsuki and IKAROS getting ready for launch, with your names aboard
I've been so focused on the dramatic return of
What Will Be the Top Space Story in 2010?
What do you think will be the top trend in space in 2010? In his Cosmic Log on MSNBC, Alan Boyle suggests that The Planetary Society's solar sailing project may be a contender.