ACS3

NASA’s ACS3 technology demonstration uses composite materials - or a combination of materials with different properties, in its novel, lightweight booms that deploy from a CubeSat to support a solar sail. Just as a sailboat is powered by wind in a sail, solar sails employ the pressure of sunlight for propulsion, eliminating the need for conventional rocket propellant. Data obtained from the ACS3 demonstration will guide the design of future larger-scale composite solar sail systems that could be used for space weather early warning satellites, near-Earth asteroid reconnaissance missions, or communications relays for crewed exploration missions.

NeonSat-1

NeonSat-1 is a high-resolution optical satellite that will be deployed as a technology demonstration for a planned future Earth observation constellation. KAIST is Korea’s leading science and technology institution, having developed and operated Korea’s very first satellite KAIST when it was successfully launched more than 30 years ago.

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[–] Dave 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I'm just sitting here with no context watching the animation of how the new satellite will bombard the earth with death rays.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 7 months ago

Haha, it's an optical satellite, so I think that animation was intended to represent the field of view, as the camera scans the surface of the ground in narrow strips. My Korean reading comprehension is non-existent though, so I can't say for sure that it's not death rays...

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 7 months ago

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1782854270360121385

Beautiful sunrise pics of Electron vertical and ready on the pad at LC-1 for today's lift-off for @kaistpr and @NASA.

Beginning Of The Swarm (B.T.S.) scheduled for launch:
⏰Weds 24 NZT | 10:15
⏰Tue 23 UTC | 22:15
⏰Tue 23 EDT | 18:15 ⏰Tues 23 PDT | 15:15

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 7 months ago

Hosted webcast has started: Murielle Baker (Communications Manager) and Kim Thompson (Structural Analyst - Neutron) are hosting.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Clock still holding at T-12 minutes. While we wait, there's yet another SpaceX launch going up in a couple minutes.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 7 months ago

Hold called at T-12 minutes due to a GSE issue. Today's launch window is not instantaneous, so they have some time to fix the issue.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 7 months ago

The count has resumed, and the go no-go poll is complete!

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 7 months ago

Liftoff!

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 7 months ago

MECO, stage separation, SES-1, and fairing separation.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 7 months ago

SECO, kickstage separation, and nominal transfer orbit confirmed!

Next up is Kick Stage (Curie engine) ignition and first payload deploy around T+45 minutes.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Hosted webcast is back. Kickstage ignition scheduled for T+47:09.

Edit: Curie burn 1 and first payload deploy (KAIST) confirmed. Webcast ended.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 1 points 7 months ago

Second payload deploy confirmed: https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1782927083179807013

Welcome to orbit, NEONSAT-1 and NASA's Advanced Composite Solar Sail System 🌎

Mission success for our 47th Electron launch 🚀