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Small BodiesStories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
LightSail Readiness Tests Prepare Team for Mission Operations
The LightSail team continues to prepare for the spacecraft's May test flight with a series of readiness simulations that mimic on-orbit operations.
LightSail Launch Delayed until at least May 20
The Planetary Society’s LightSail spacecraft will have to wait at least two more weeks before setting sail on its maiden voyage.
Your First Timeline of Events for LightSail's Test Flight
The team behind The Planetary Society’s LightSail spacecraft is kicking off a series of simulations to ensure the spacecraft’s ground systems are ready for launch.
LightSail Featured on CBS Evening News
The Planetary Society's LightSail spacecraft made an appearance on national television Monday night during a two-minute segment by CBS Evening News.
LightSail Arrives in Florida; More Launch Details Revealed
A cadre of CubeSats including The Planetary Society’s LightSail spacecraft completed a cross-country journey to Florida, where they await installation aboard an Atlas V rocket.
How LightSail Holds Its Place in Space
There are few systems aboard a spacecraft more important than attitude control. This infographic shows how LightSail holds its place in space.
It's Official: LightSail Test Flight Scheduled for May 2015
This May, the first of The Planetary Society's two member-funded LightSail spacecraft is slated to hitch a ride to space for a test flight aboard an Atlas V rocket.
LightSail Completes Testing, Announcement Expected in January
The Planetary Society's LightSail spacecraft successfully completed testing to prepare it for a possible 2015 test flight.
LightSail Gets Burn Wire Redesign for Round 2 of Vibration Tests
The Planetary Society's LightSail-A spacecraft is less than three weeks away from an expected go/no-go decision on whether the CubeSat will be launched into space for a shakedown cruise next year.
LightSail Vibration Test Shakes Loose New Problems
LightSail's random vibration test, meant to simulate the stress of an Atlas V rocket launch, shook loose new problems that the team will have to address.
As Deadlines Loom, LightSail Bends but Doesn't Break
The Planetary Society's LightSail 1 spacecraft is close to completing a final series of tests that pave the way for a possible 2015 test flight. But as deadlines loom, a new problem has sent the team scrambling to make a quick repair.
More LightSail Day-in-the-Life Multimedia, and a Community Image Processing Challenge
We have more multimedia from LightSail's day-in-the-life test, as well as a request for some community image processing help.
LightSail Sails through Day-in-the-Life Test
The Planetary Society's LightSail spacecraft passed a major system test in which its solar sails were deployed for the first time in two years.
LightSail Radio Update: New Answers, New Questions
Two weeks after radio anomalies scrubbed LightSail's day-in-the-life test, the team continues to close in on the source of the problem.
Radio Problems Scrub LightSail's Day-in-the-Life Test
A pesky radio problem that has occasionally stymied LightSail has returned, scrubbing the mission's day-in-the-life test.
LightSail Prepares for Its Day-in-the-Life Test
LightSail-A's radio system has been fixed, and the spacecraft is now preparing for its August 20 day-in-the-life test.
Watch a Recap of LightSail's Live LightSail Launch Announcement
Watch a recap of The Planetary Society's live LightSail Launch Announcement, which took place July 9 at the KPCC Crawford Family Forum.
LightSail 1 Has a Blown Radio Amplifier. Now What?
LightSail 1's blown radio amplifier doesn't affect the 2016 SpaceX Falcon Heavy mission, but it adds an unwelcome obstacle to the 2015 test mission's ever-shortening timetable.
LightSail update: Launch dates
I’m excited to report some big news on The Planetary Society’s LightSail project: actual launch dates on actual launch vehicles!
LightSail update: Of booms and pretty pictures
The latest series of LightSail boom deployment tests went smoothly, paving the way for a full system test later in July.