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NanoSail D
NanoSail D (launch and deployed) [NASA]
NanoSail D is a cubesat-based solar sail demonstrator. The mission goals are:
- Establish ARC-MSFC collaborative relationship for future small satellite initiatives
- Deploy a 10 m² solar sail leveraging work by MSFC approved under the SMD In-Space Propulsion Program
- Demo Orbital Debris Mitigation technology – drag sail
- Ground Imaging to reduce spacecraft instrumentation
- Add to flight experience – ARC Bus "light" experience
Two units of the NanoSail D satellites have been built. The first satellite failed to reach orbit due to a malfunction of the Falcon-1 launch vehicle first stage.
The second satellite was deployed from FASTSAT-HSV 01 on 06.12.2010 after launch on a Minotaur-4 HAPS rocket from Kodiak on 20.11.2010. The Nanosail D was to be ejected on 06.12.2010, but it failed to leave its deployer. The satellite was then spontaneously ejected on 19.01.2011 and successfully deployed the sail three days later.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Technology |
| Operator: | NASA Ames Research Center |
| Contractors: | NASA Ames Research Center |
| Equipment: | Solar sail |
| Configuration: | CubeSat (3U) |
| Propulsion: | None |
| Power: | Batteries |
| Lifetime: | 7 days |
| Mass: | 4 kg |
| Orbit: | 330 km × 685 km, 9° (#D1, planned); 641 km × 652 km, 72° (#D2) |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NanoSail D | 2008-F01 | 03.08.2008 | Om | F | Falcon-1 | with Trailblazer, PreSat, Celestis 07 |
| NanoSail D2 | 2010-062L | 20.11.2010 | Kd LP-1 | Minotaur-4 HAPS | with STPSat 2, FASTRAC 1, FASTRAC 2, FalconSat 5, FASTSat-HSV 01, RAX 1, O/OREOS, Ballast A, Ballast B |
