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Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3)

NASA is developing new deployable structures and materials technologies for solar sail propulsion systems destined for future low-cost deep space missions. Just as a sailboat is powered by wind in a sail, solar sails employ the pressure of sunlight for propulsion, eliminating the need for conventional rocket propellant.

Active Mission

Sail Along with NASA’s Solar Sail Tech Demo in Real-Time Simulation

Like a Diamond in the Sky: How to Spot NASA’s Solar Sail Demo in Orbit

NASA to Hoist Its Sail: Solar Sail Mission Gets Ready for Launch

NASA’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System, or ACS3, technology demonstration uses composite materials – or a combination of materials with different properties – in its novel, lightweight booms that deploy from a CubeSat.

Mission Type

Small Spacecraft

led by

Small Spacecraft & Distributed Systems Program

Launch

April 23, 2024

STATUS

Active

About

What is the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System?

NASA is developing new deployable structures and materials technologies for solar sail propulsion systems destined for future low-cost deep space missions. Just as a sailboat is powered by wind in a sail, solar sails employ the pressure of sunlight for propulsion, eliminating the need for conventional rocket propellant.

Learn About Solar Sails about What is the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System?
Engineers at NASA’s Langley Research Center test deployment of the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System’s solar sail. The unfurled solar sail is approximately 30 feet (about 9 meters) on a side. Since solar radiation pressure is small, the solar sail must be large to efficiently generate thrust.
Engineers at NASA’s Langley Research Center test deployment of the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System’s solar sail. The unfurled solar sail is approximately 30 feet (about 9 meters) on a side. Since solar radiation pressure is small, the solar sail must be large to efficiently generate thrust.
NASA

Small Satellite Missions blog updates about the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System
Update on NASA’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System
3 min read

Mission operators for NASA’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System continue to analyze data from the spacecraft and characterize the performance…

Blog
NASA Evaluates Deployed Advanced Composite Solar Sail System
2 min read

Since deploying its sail last week, the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System spacecraft continues sending  images and data, helping the…

Blog
NASA Composite Booms Deploy, Mission Sets Sail in Space
2 min read

NASA’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System is now fully deployed in space after a successful test of its sail-hoisting boom…

Blog

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Artist rendering of the solar sail system demonstration.

Small Satellite Missions Blog

Visit the blog for the latest updates on the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System Mission!

Edison of Demonstration of Small Sat Networks_CubeSats

What are SmallSats and CubeSats?

Learn about SmallSats and CubeSats and why they're important to NASA.

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The Small Spacecraft & Distributed Systems program within NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, expands the ability to execute unique missions…

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CubeSat Launch Initiative Resources