| Spacecraft name | CubeSAIL |
|---|---|
| Spacecraft type | CubeSat |
| Units or mass | 3U |
| Status | cancelled |
| Organisation | SSTL |
| Institution | University |
| Entity type | Academic / Education |
| Country | UK |
| Partners | Airbus, Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) |
| Oneliner |
Deploy a large (5x5 metre) aluminised Kapton sail using novel CFRP deployable booms. |
| Description |
Deploy a large (up to 5x5 metre) square aluminised Kapton sail, using novel CFRP deployable booms. Demonstrate ‘solar sailing’ in LEO by utilising the solar radiation pressure on the reflective sail to change its orbital inclination. A novel capability of this system is pointing via a centre-of-mass/centre-of-pressure (COM/COP) offset. The satellite will provide beacons for which amateur satellite users and ham radio users will be able to receive. |
| Notes |
Seems to be ready but no news for 5+ years. |
| Sources | [1] [2] |
| Photo sources | [1] |
| Keywords | Solar sail, Propulsion |
Last modified: 2023-06-09
