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Unmanned Spaceflight.com > Other Missions > Private Missions
punkboi
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/minotaur/stp...101116nanosail/

KODIAK, Alaska -- For less than $1 million, scientists are planning to show off an innovative solar sail experiment beginning with a blastoff from the Alaska frontier Friday, proving new propulsion technologies that could help rid space of unnecessary debris.
punkboi
The Minotaur 4 rocket carrying NanoSail-D and other satellites successfully launched from Alaska today

http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/rocke...ska-101119.html
Explorer1
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gS4n5vz9Tw
punkboi
Nanosail-D is set to be ejected from FASTSAT at 10:15 PM, PST tonight. The solar sail will then be deployed 3 days later

http://twitter.com/NASAJPL/status/11541869896933376
punkboi
Looks like Nanosail-D has successfully ejected from FASTSAT!

http://twitter.com/NanoSailD/status/11680456701382656
nprev
Awesome!!!

(I asked when they were gonna deploy, but I read back & saw that you'd already posted that. Fingers crossed for 3 days from now...)
punkboi
There's nothing online about whether or not Nanosail-D deployed its sails. In fact... There hasn't been ANY update since it was ejected from FASTSAT last weekend. Is NASA even communicating with the spacecraft? (It's Twitter page went silent right after ejection) unsure.gif
lyford
This just in - but you're not gonna like it sad.gif
QUOTE
NanoSail-D Mission Status Update for Dec. 10

At this time, it is not clear that NanoSail-D ejected from the Fast, Affordable, Science and Technology Satellite (FASTSAT) as originally stated on Monday, Dec. 6. At the time of ejection, spacecraft telemetry data showed a positive ejection as reflected by confirmation of several of the planned on orbit ejection sequence events. The FASTSAT spacecraft ejection system data was also indicative of an ejection event. NanoSail-D was scheduled to unfurl on Dec. 9 at 12:30 a.m., and deployment hasn't been confirmed. The FASTSAT team is continuing to trouble shoot the inability to make contact with NanoSail-D. The FASTSAT microsatellite and all remaining five onboard experiments continue to operate as planned.

djellison
An ejection should be easily identifiable by a reaction force pushed back on FASTSAT by the spring in the P-POD. If that happened, but we've still not heard from NanoSail-D - then that's bad news.
punkboi
So this big week in space was apparently 1/3 successful (with the flawless Falcon 9 launch but the setback with Akatsuki and possibly this mission). Darn.

I hope Lightsail has better luck next year
punkboi
NanoSail-D Ejects - NASA Seeks Amateur Radio Operators' Aid to Listen for Beacon Signal

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=32522
punkboi
Beacon heard from NanoSail-D (by radio operators in both Huntsville and PA)!

http://twitter.com/NanoSailD/status/27874289243914242

Sail should deploy by an automatic timer 3 days from now smile.gif
Hungry4info
This is excellent news!
(Okay, Spirit.... it's your turn... )
punkboi
CORRECTION: The sail should actually be deployed tomorrow...around 10 PM, EST smile.gif

http://twitter.com/NanoSailD/status/27930831225888768
punkboi
According to this person who Tweeted to @NanoSailD, the sail has been deployed! Hopefully it will be confirmed soon smile.gif

http://twitter.com/naeisel/status/28306790504464384
punkboi
"NanoSail-D has sent data that it deployed the sail. Will wait until tomorrow morning for ground based tracking to confirm. Patience ....."

http://twitter.com/#!/NanoSailD/status/28323308424396801
djellison
Actually heard the beacon about 2 hrs earlier from the roof of Bldg 264 on lab with my Yaesu 817 and an arrow antenna. Can't wait to see it in an evening pass soon - should be nice and bright!
nprev
I was wondering if you were successful...congrats, I owe you beer! wink.gif

General question: Does anyone have a link to a current ephemeris for N-D? If it is bright, this should provide an excellent opportunity for amateur visual observers to track its progress & contribute to the mission's objectives (and for casual observers like me to get a peek...attention outreachers!!!)
Stu
Nick, go to http://www.heavens-above.com enter your location (from the database, or manually) and away you go... smile.gif Good for shuttle, ISS, Hubble and many other sats, too...
ElkGroveDan
Thanks for that Stu. I was using other less friendly sites.
djellison
You can also use http://www.n2yo.com/passes/?s=90027
punkboi
"Breaking news! - I have been officially confirmed! Yes, I deployed! http://bit.ly/fbiyZM Much more to come ... stay tuned."

http://twitter.com/#!/NanoSailD/status/28554401861861376

"Now I can say it. Sailing, sailing over the big blue sky. Hope someone sees me before I fry."

http://twitter.com/#!/NanoSailD/status/28562304014491648

Finally... cool.gif
bkellysky
I tried to see Nano-Sail-D it last night on its overflight of the New York City area, but didn't see it.
Anyone sight it recently? There are a number of photos at spaceweather.com

bob
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