Planetary Society logo
  • “Exploration is in our nature.” - Carl Sagan

IKAROS with tip masses and cameras labeled

IKAROS with tip masses and cameras labeled
IKAROS with tip masses and cameras labeled A photo of the cylindrical IKAROS spacecraft during assembly is labeled with the location of one of four deployment monitoring cameras (red text) and two of four "tip masses," half-kilogram weights that will assist in the deployment of IKAROS' square sail. The tip masses are attached to the sail's four corners. A rolling stopper (black vertical bar across the folded sail) will control the rate of deployment of the sail by the tip masses. ISAS / JAXA