The solar sail uses a novel boom system made of flexible polymer and carbon fiber materials that can be rolled up. Credit: NASA NASA fully deployed its Advanced Composite Solar Sail System on Aug. 29 ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. NASA hitched a ride aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron Launcher in New ...

NASA is gearing up to launch an advanced solar sail spacecraft later this month. Using a new boom made of lightweight polymer composites, the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System is scheduled to lift ...

Though it's only the size of a microwave oven, NASA's Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) can unfurl a microscopically thin plastic sail in about 25 minutes to cover an area of 860 ft² (80 m²) ...

Lightyear, yes, Lightyear (remember them?), is reemerging from the ashes of a failed solar electric vehicle venture and has just secured 10 million euros to boost its operation of developing and ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Dianne Plummer is an Energy Consultant and Certified Energy Manager. Rooftop solar has become one of the fastest-growing clean ...