ACS3

ACS3

Electron APR 23 2024 08:22PM

A solar sail mission called NASA's Advanced Composite Solar Sail System, or ACS3, will test novel sail boom materials in Earth orbit. ACS3 is slated to launch on Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle in the first half of 2024. From a spacecraft the size of a toaster oven, a sail approximately the size of a small apartment will be released.

Last updated: May 10, 2024

Launch Information

Launch Information

Launch Vehicle Details

Mission NameACS3
Launch SitePad TBD, Rocket Lab Launch Complex, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Launch VehicleElectron
AgencyRocket Lab
Launch DateAPR 23 2024

The low-Earth orbital deployment of the composite boom solar sail is the main goal of the ACS3 technology demonstration. The ACS3 spacecraft will unfold its solar sail via four booms that span the square's diagonals and unspool to a length of 23 feet, or around 7 meters, when it has reached space and deployed its solar power arrays. When the solar sail is fully extended, it takes around 25 minutes. The square-shaped solar sail is about the size of a small apartment and measures about 30 feet (or 9 meters) on each side. In order to evaluate the sail's shape and alignment, a set of onboard digital cameras will take pictures of it both during and after deployment.

Launch Vehicle - Electron

Payload To LEOOriginal: 225 Kg (496 lb) Updated: 300 Kg (660 lb)
Payload To SSOOriginal: 150 Kg (330 lb) Updated: 200 Kg (440 lb)
PropellantRP-1/LOX
Payload Capacity150–225 Kg (331–496 lb)
Height18 m (59 ft)
Diameter1.2 m (3 ft 11 in)
Mass12.5 t (28000 lb)
Stages2–3

ACS3 Launch Video

ACS3