Raw video: LightSail solar sail deployment test

LightSail's solar sails deploy during spacecraft testing at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on Sept. 23. For testing purposes, the sail booms were only extended to 90 percent of their full length. They were then incrementally extended so engineers could measure sail tension and record the correct number of deployment motor revolutions. Read more about this test at: www.planetary.org/blogs/jason-...

[@864208642]

Wow, the sound it makes sounds like it was taken right off the movie 2001 A Space Odyssey.

[@tammywhitaker963]

YEP

[@monkeechicken]

amazing how much you can get into such a small space!

[@PacoOtis]

It might work better if the surface they used were similar to the old air hockey tables with the thousands of holes that prevent friction. Would like to ask them about that. Really proud of their efforts.

[@ModestConfidence]

Joseph Stokes Its a good stress test. Because if it passes this, then its up to the task in space. Temp and vacuum would be the next hurdle.

[@DaveJerrard]

Holes would post a hazard. The trust that extend could easily get caught in one and ruin the test, and possibly damage the sail. Air blowing on it could also damage it, as it's a very thin material.

[@MichaelJohnBattista]

unfolding origami looks great well done

[@seb1520]

Here before everyone finds out what a solar sail is once the telescope is launched :)

[@jonnda]

So the structural frame work is using a similar idea to measuring tape?

[@AWK-fy9po]

Dear Planetary Society, I have to 3d model your spacecraft but I do not know how it looks from the inside, do you have a 3d model of your spacecraft that I cloud use for my project?

[@DasWm]

Pretty sweet.

[@wnderer4365]

wow

[@tammywhitaker963]

❤️

[@etan838]

sounds like music almost

[@buckrowley1506]

jc where did those folding legs come from ?

[@fabulum149]

Perhaps the poles are telescopic

[@SusanAmberBruce]

4 minutes
I am wondering if this can be tested in free fall.

[@jeric_synergy8581]

As soon as we invent anti-gravity. @^@

[@GoSlowTaco]

just when you thought humans cant get any dumber....

[@florianrudowable]

@@GoSlowTaco It's ironic...

[@batbawls]

Stealthy as a cat (if it were a cat in space)!

[@reydus6651]

it's incredible how this little awesome thing will cost to launch into orbit.

[@Killbayne]

The sound and slow opening makes it look like its a failed test

[@fabulum149]

It's infuriatingly long, I'm considering adding this to r/mildlyinfuriating

[@jdmcarandmotorcycle]

Когда полетим на альфа центавра

[@robinhyperlord9053]

That is way faster than a Samsung.

[@Tank23333]

Spacekraken