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.