Student-led missions deploy free-flying light sails from CubeSats in low Earth orbit

Students at Cornell's Space Systems Design Studio have released results from two light-sail missions. The sails, slightly larger than a pizza box, fold origami-style into CubeSats and separate completely once deployed, using photon momentum to accelerate; gram-scale ChipSats handle all communications and steering.

• Pizza-box-sized light sails deployed from CubeSats in low Earth orbit
• Sails fold origami-style and fully separate from the host spacecraft
• Gram-scale ChipSats provide all ground communications and steering
• Design is far smaller, lighter and cheaper than traditional solar sails