Japan Deploys Solar Sail in Space
DOE: $24 Million for Algal Biofuels Research
USDA Report: Roadmap for U.S. Biofuel Energy Goals
MIT Study: Natural Gas to Help Reduce GHG Emissions
Honda Announces Price for CR-Z Hybrid Coupe
University of Michigan Wins American Solar Challenge
Japan Deploys a Solar Sail in Space
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has successfully deployed a solar sail in outer space. While solar energy has successfully powered small cars and airplanes, nobody has yet managed to use it to propel a spacecraft - that goal is now within reach.
JAXA's Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator, or IKAROS (Interplanetary Kite-craft Accelerated by Radiation of the Sun), was launched on May 10 and on June 10, JAXA confirmed it was successfully expanded.
The concept of a solar sail, which could use the pressure of sunlight to propel a spacecraft, has been a dream of both scientists and science fiction writers. Though the concept is roughly 100 years old, IKAROS will be the first practical demonstration of the technology.
The sail is made of an extremely thin, flexible plastic and includes thin-film solar cells on part of its surface to generate electricity.
The sail was deployed by spinning its cylindrical launch vehicle to 25 rotations per minute, then allowing angular momentum to spread the sail out from that central hub to form a square measuring about 35 feet on each side. Over the next five months or so, JAXA will attempt to prove the technology by accelerating the craft and steering it toward Venus. See the JAXA press release and JAXA's IKAROS Web site.
Meanwhile, European engineers are aiming at another first - flying a piloted solar-powered airplane through one day and one night. The Solar Impulse HB-SIA is scheduled to take off on the morning of July 1 and land the morning of July 2.
The airplane is essentially a flying wing, with solar cells covering the entire 207-foot wingspan. The craft is made from carbon fiber composites and is powered by four propellers, each driven by a 7 kW motor.
During the day, the aircraft will charge its lithium-polymer batteries, then increase the amount of available energy by climbing to an elevation of nearly 28,000 feet. During the night, the craft will run on battery power while slowly descending, greeting the morning at an elevation of just under 5,000 feet.
The solar-powered aircraft will test the flight characteristics and performance of the technology in preparation for a future craft that will attempt to fly around the world on solar power. See the Solar Impulse blog, the Web site, and a fact sheet on the Solar Impulse HB-SIA (PDF 1.3 MB).
DOE Awards $24 Million for Algal Biofuels Research
DOE announced on June 28 its selection of three research consortiums to receive up to $24 million to tackle commercialization of algae-based biofuels. The consortia include partners from academia, national labs, and private industries and projects are expected to continue for three years.
