NASA’s massive solar sail recently unfurled in space, and it’s so large that it can be seen from Earth with the naked eye. A NASA app now helps users locate and track it in real-time.
NASA’s solar sail spans 80 square meters
The solar sail, officially called the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3), has been operational since August 29. While the name may not sound impressive, the technology behind it is remarkable. The sail itself measures around seven meters when collapsed, but once fully deployed, it spans an impressive 80 square meters, making it visible from Earth under certain conditions.
NASA has launched a campaign to help people spot the sail. “Interested individuals can join the #SpotTheSail campaign by using the NASA app on mobile platforms to determine when the solar sail will be visible at their location,” NASA said in a press release.
Augmented reality guide in the app
The app offers a “location-specific schedule for upcoming viewing opportunities.” It also includes an augmented reality (AR) feature that helps users pinpoint the sail’s exact location in real-time. The US space agency provides detailed instructions on how to use the app: under the “Featured Missions” tab, users should select the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System, then go to the “Sightings” section in the navigation bar to view a list of upcoming visibility times for their location. iOS users also have access to a “Sky View” mode, which uses augmented reality to show the solar sail’s real-time location as it passes overhead.
Testing a new form of navigation in the solar system
According to the German Aerospace Center (DGLR), the solar sail is part of an experiment to test a “new method of navigation within our solar system.”
Solar sails work similarly to the sails of ships on Earth, but instead of catching wind, they reflect sunlight particles on their surface. Some of this energy is converted into propulsion, allowing the spacecraft to move. This method works only in the vacuum of space, where there are enough solar protons to propel the sail. In the future, this technology could enable missions not just within our solar system but beyond it as well. Once outside the solar system, powerful lasers could be aimed at the sails to further accelerate them.