The Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator “IKAROS” launched by the H-IIA F17 began to deploy its sail on June 3 (Japan Standard Time, JST,) and on June 10 (JST,) JAXA confirmed the proper extension of the sail and power generation by the thin film solar cells at about 7.7 million km from the Earth. We will continue to measure the power generation status of the cells attached to the sail, and will verify acceleration by the cells and orbit control by their acceleration.

Updates can be found here: http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/06/20100611_ikaros_e.html

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