NASA’s $20 million Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) spacecraft was launched into space to test its new propulsion system. However, it started rolling uncontrollably due to an issue during sail deployment. Engineers are working intensively to resolve the malfunction. NASA’s new spacecraft ACS3 equipped with four reflective “sails” intended to provide thrust by utilizing the pressure of sunlight.
However, a barrier was encountered during sail deployment, negatively affecting the spacecraft’s orientation. ACS3 was launched on April 23, 2023, from New Zealand via Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket. Just a few months after launch, built-in power monitors detected higher motor currents than expected, halting the sail deployment process.
However, in late August, engineers managed to deploy the sails. Currently, engineers are evaluating a slight bend in one of the booms on the spacecraft.
This bend has affected the spacecraft’s trajectory, causing it to roll uncontrollably. NASA kept the attitude control system off to allow engineers to assess the damage. The spacecraft is positioned approximately 600 miles high, twice as high as the International Space Station.
According to NASA’s updates, the bend likely occurred as the booms and sail were pulled towards the spacecraft during sail deployment. Engineers are currently trying to orient the spacecraft towards sunlight. When they reach the correct position, they hope to stop the constant rolling of the spacecraft by reactivating the attitude control system. The success of ACS3 in this mission is crucial to test the efficiency of the solar sail propulsion system.
The tiny momentum bursts generated when sunlight hits the spacecraft propel it forward. NASA believes that this new propulsion system could significantly reduce the fuel required for deep space missions. The previous similar project, Planetary Society’s LightSail 2, was launched in 2019 but failed as the spacecraft lost altitude.
The success of ACS3 could be critical for the future of solar sail technology. NASA mentions that data obtained from this flight test will provide vital information for future solar sail missions.