Successful solar sail test could lead to rocket replacement

The Discovery Channel (7/9, Klotz) reported on the solar sail, the NanoSail-D, NASA plans to test with the launch of SpaceX's Falcon 1 rocket later this month. "A successful demonstration may be enough to convince future spacecraft planners to replace or augment chemical thruster rockets with thin, rolled-up sails that can be unfurled in orbit to catch the sun's light." NanoSail lead scientist Mark Whorton said, "Solar sail propulsion, if it achieves its full promise, would enable fundamentally different space missions not feasible or even possible with conventional propellants."