Your message carried by a solar sail

In May 2010, JAXA, the Japanese Space Agency, is to launch a probe named as Akatsuki to the planet Venus. A solar sail dubbed Ikaros is to be sent up into space at the same time. Designed with the Planetary Society, this 32 square metre sail will make it possible to actually test the principles of a propulsion known as photonic: the spacecraft advances pushed by photons (grains of light) from the Sun. JAXA is offering to include your name and message free of charge on a DVD-ROM which is to be carried by this solar sail.

JAXA’s Internet form

Ikaros mission (JAXA)

Ikaros mission (Planetary Society)

Published on 12 January 2010

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