2010-05-22

Japan's Solar Sail Spacecraft, Ikaros

Japan launches Venus probe and solar sail

Akatsuki probe, Ikaros sail and other satellites all ride on one rocket


An unmanned H-2A rocket sends Japan's Akatsuki probe toward Venus from the Tanegashima Space Center on Friday. The Ikaros solar sail prototype hitched a ride as well.

A powerful new Japanese spacecraft and experimental solar sail have blasted off together to start a six-month trek to explore Venus and cosmic parts beyond.

One mission is aimed at uncovering the secrets of Venus and its cloud-covered surface, while the other could become the first interplanetary solar sail to fly successfully in space. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, is backing both spaceflights.


Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency


May 21, 2010 Updated

AKATSUKI successfully launched!!

The H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 17 (H-IIA F17) with the Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" onboard was launched at 6:58:22 a.m. on May 21 (Japan Standard Time) from the Tanegashima Space Center. The H-IIA F17 flew smoothly, and, at 27 minutes and 29 seconds after liftoff, the AKATSUKI was separated from the H-IIA.
We will update you with the latest information on the AKATSUKI on the special site.
(Photo: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries)


Launch H-IIA Akatsuki/Ikaros






小型ソーラー電力セイル実証機「IKAROS」



A Solar Sail gathers sunlight as propulsion by means of a large membrane while a Solar “Power” Sail gets electricity from thin film solar cells on the membrane in addition to acceleration by solar radiation. What’s more, if the ion-propulsion engines with high specific impulse are driven by such solar cells, it can become a “hybrid” engine that is combined with photon acceleration to realize fuel-effective and flexible missions.

IKAROS's mission

IKAROS’s membrane


Membrane deployment


Future plans





World's first interplanetary solar sail spacecraft IKAROS, sail spreading CG image







IKAROS Mission Overview




Sources
Japan launches Venus probe and solar sail - Space.com- msnbc.com
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37264753/ns/technology_and_science-space/
JAXA | AKATSUKI Special Site
http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f17/index_e.html
YouTube - Launch H-IIA Akatsuki/Ikaros
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrxm0p8pmnk
IKAROS Project｜JAXA Space Exploration Center
http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/e/activity/ikaros.html
JAXA | IKAROS Mission Overview
http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f17/overview/ikaros_e.html
YouTube - World's first interplanetary solar sail spacecraft IKAROS, sail spreading CG image
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Mb47w0vB04

Related
Japanese ‘IKAROS’ flies toward solar space travel - World Blog - msnbc.com
http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2010/05/17/2320760.aspx
JAXA | Launch Result of the Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" (PLANET-C) aboard H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.17
http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/05/20100521_h2a-f17_e.html
JAXA | IKAROS Mission Overview
http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/f17/overview/ikaros_e.html
YouTube - IKAROS I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk7KvzUpGas
Japan to Launch Solar-Sail-Powered Craft Out Beyond Orbit for the First Time | Popular Science
http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-04/japan-launch-solar-sailing-mission-beyond-orbit-first-time
Japan to launch 'space yacht' propelled by solar particles (Update)
http://www.physorg.com/news191565225.html
Solar Sail Hybrid Launches Today From Japan
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/05/100517-science-space-solar-sail-japan-ikaros-venus/
Japan's Flimsy Ikaros Space Kite Due to Launch to Float on the Solar Wind | Fast Company
http://www.fastcompany.com/1648686/japan-ikaros-solar-sail-h-iia-rockets-jaxa-venus-climate-orbiter?partner=rss
Sail-World.com : Way to the stars: Space sailing by sunlight not solar wind
http://www.sail-world.com/Europe/Way-to-the-stars:-Space-sailing-by-sunlight-not-solar-wind/63185
FOXNews.com - Japan Testing Interplanetary Solar Sail Concept
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/05/17/japan-ikaros-solar-sail/?test=latestnews
BBC News - Japan launches Akatsuki probe to Venus
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science_and_environment/10135158.stm
First solar powered spacecraft successfully launched
http://www.gizmag.com/ikaros-solar-sail-launched/15175/
SolarSailWiki
http://wiki.solarsails.info/index.php?title=Main_Page
SPACE.com -- New Venus Probe to Launch Thursday From Japan After Delay
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/japan-venus-probe-launch-thursday-100518.html