NASA Launches New Solar-Sailing Technology into Orbit Tonight: Watch Live!

NASA is set to launch its Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) into orbit this evening, marking a significant milestone in solar-sailing technology. The ACS3, along with another payload, will be carried into space atop a Rocket Lab Electron vehicle from New Zealand.

Solar sails utilize the gentle push of sunlight to propel spacecraft through space, offering an efficient and fuel-free propulsion method. The ACS3 mission aims to test new composite booms that will unfurl a solar sail measuring approximately 30 feet per side. This technology could have applications in space weather monitoring, asteroid reconnaissance, and solar observation missions.

The launch, dubbed “Beginning of the Swarm,” will also deploy NEONSAT-1, an Earth-observation satellite developed by the Satellite Technology Research Center at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. NEONSAT-1 will use high-resolution cameras and artificial intelligence to monitor natural disasters along the Korean coastline.

Rocket Lab’s livestream of the launch will begin 30 minutes before the scheduled liftoff time, allowing viewers to witness the event in real-time. This mission marks Rocket Lab’s fifth orbital launch of 2024 and its 47th overall, showcasing the company’s commitment to advancing space exploration technology.

As the ACS3 and NEONSAT-1 head to their respective orbits, space enthusiasts can tune in to watch the exciting journey unfold. With the potential for groundbreaking advancements in solar-sailing technology, this launch represents a significant step forward in space exploration.