Its charter is to provide science-based media and entertainment, and the company plans to make a documentary of the solar sail project. NASA is not directly involved in the project. Babakin will also control the missions. Russia's Space Research Institute is providing the electronics. Babakin is arranging the launches, which will take place from a Russian Delta III-class submarine in the Barents Sea.
Solar sails produce thrust by reflecting sunlight.
This photon force is more than 100 times greater than the effect of the solar wind on the sail. The force is minuscule, but does not require propellant, and can accumulate over time to produce large velocity changes. It could prove to be a viable space propulsion technique, and could be considered for a revamped Pluto mission, which was halted once again last week. Free-flying sail will unfold into a flower shape, and petals will move to vector solar thrust to raise the orbit. Launch is set for this fall.