[extropy-chat] question re solar sails

[Jeff Davis]

Extropes,

Perhaps you've heard of the recent Japanese
launch/deployment of two solar sails.

Japan unfurls solar sail in space

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3555048.stm

The piece ends with the following sentence:

"Both deployments were successful and the rocket
splashed into the sea at about six minutes 40 seconds
after lift-off."

This leaves me with the impression that the rocket did
not reach orbital velocity.  So I'm wondering, did the
solar sails also fall back to earth, and if not, why
not?

What chall folks think?

Best, Jeff Davis

   "Everything's hard till you know how to do it."
                           Ray Charles



	
		
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