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Solar Sailing

ATLANTIC MONTHLY FEATURE ARTICLE ON THE PLANETARY SOCIETY'S SOLAR SAILING PROGRAM
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The Planetary Society remains committed to flying the first solar sail. Specifically, we aim to fly the first controlled flight of a spacecraft using light pressure to increase the orbit energy. At the beginning of this decade, we designed a mission to accomplish this goal. We launched Cosmos 1 in June 2005, but the Volna rocket that was to place the spacecraft in orbit failed, and we were never able to test our solar sail in flight. These days, The Planetary Society is working with colleagues at NASA and at the Russian Space Research Institute to put together a new solar sail mission.


Flying the First Solar Sail


Cosmos 1, a project of The Planetary Society and Cosmos Studios, was the first solar sail spacecraft ever constructed. Built in Russia the spacecraft was designed to soar into space at the tip of a submarine-launched Volna rocket. There it was to spread its giant wings, and fly on the power of sunlight alone. On June 21, 2005, Cosmos 1 was launched as planned from the submarine Borisoglebsk of the Russian Northern Fleet. Unfortunately, the first stage of the Volna never completed its scheduled burn, and the spacecraft did not enter orbit. Cosmos 1, the first solar sail never had a chance to test its revolutionary technology.
Reader's Digest 100 Best
Cosmos 1 Reader's Digest 100 Best Innovations - 2005

A solar sail is a spacecraft without an engine, sped along its way by the direct pressure of light particles from the Sun. The particles, known as photons, reflect off the spacecraft's giant mirror-like sails, pushing the craft forward. Because a solar sail carries no fuel, and in principle can keep accelerating over almost unlimited distances, it is the only technology known today that could one day take us to the stars.

Cosmos 1 was not intended to go to the stars, but only to prove that solar sailing was possible. Once the spacecraft had entered Earth orbit, it was to raise its altitude through solar sailing. Any measurable increase in the spacecraft's orbit would have been considered a success. But even though the immediate goals of the mission were modest, the concept was grand: by establishing solar sailing as a feasible and effective technology, Cosmos 1 would clear the way for missions to the Solar System and beyond.

Cosmos 1 Named One of Most the Innovative Ideas of 2005
The New York Times Magazine
The 5th Annual Year in Ideas Issue
December 11, 2005
Cosmos 1 never accomplished its stated goals, but this does not spell the end of The Planetary Society's involvement in solar sailing. The Society, with Cosmos Studios, is currently exploring the possibility of launching another spacecraft in the near future.

With Special Thanks to Cosmos Studios!

As the major sponsor and partner of Cosmos 1, we thank Cosmos Studios and its founder and CEO, Ann Druyan, for years of financial and inspirational support for this cutting edge project that will pave the way to future travel to the stars.

Your unwavering commitment, and that of Planetary Society Members
around the world, will take our dream of a "first flight with light" to reality.

Together, we will make our way to the stars.

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