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It's mainly targeted at cube sats, which are very small satellites with usually one specific task or purpose. This could open up space even more to smaller team
by IndianAstronaut 11y ago
It's mainly targeted at cube sats, which are very small satellites with usually one specific task or purpose. This could open up space even more to smaller teams of scientists.
It is not meant to carry men to Mars.
- TheLoneWolfling 11y agoI am surprised at it being targeted at cube sats. There's enough atmosphere in LEO that I am surprised that it's a net positive, frankly. I mean: the ISS requires a reboost every few months.
- greglindahl 11y agoI don't know where you got the LEO restriction from. All of the Planetary Society pages are clear that this LEO test is a test, and the real deal is above LEO.
- TheLoneWolfling 11y agoIt's not a restriction for solar sails. I know that. But the grandparent comment said "It's mainly targeted at cube sats". And cubesats tend to be LEO-based. (They tend to be the cheapest thing possible - and its harder to get into a higher orbit. And they tend to be launched parasitically to boot.) Hence, talking about LEO.
- jccooper 11y agoThey're hoping to enable cubesats (or at least small sats) to do deep space or planetary missions by proving a low-mass and low-complexity propulsion system.
- deleted 11y ago[deleted]