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Press Release

Cosmos 1 Named One of Most Innovative Ideas of 2005

Pasadena, CA, — The New York Times Sunday Magazine named the solar sail spacecraft Cosmos 1 as one of the most innovative ideas of 2005 in the December 11 issue of the magazine:

Cosmos 1, a project of The Planetary Society and Cosmos Studios, was launched from a submerged Russian nuclear submarine in the Barents Sea on June 21, 2005.  Unfortunately, the rocket failed, and the spacecraft did not reach orbit.  Cosmos 1 was designed to sail on light, using photons for propulsion in Earth orbit.

The history of exploration has always been one of both adventure and risk.  The Planetary Society accepts that challenge and plans to try again to fly the world's first solar sail spacecraft.

About the Planetary Society

Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, The Planetary Society has inspired millions of people to explore other worlds and seek other life. Today, its international membership makes the non-governmental Planetary Society the largest space interest group in the world. Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray and Louis Friedman founded The Planetary Society in 1980.