太阳帆推进是一种新型的无工质推进技术（即不需要携带任何推进剂），依靠反射太阳光光子而产生推力。人类利用这项技术，最终将能实现不用燃料，而只依靠太阳能在太空航行的梦想。

 

日本宇宙航空研究开发机构的一份声明上说：“我们经证实，升至距离地面大约770万公里的‘伊卡洛斯’已经完全展开，它上面的薄膜太阳能电池也已经产生电流。”

(http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/06/20100611_ikaros_e.html)

Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator 'IKAROS'
Successful Solar Sail Deployment

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) began to deploy the solar sail of the Small Solar Power Sail Demonstrator "IKAROS" on June 3 (Japan Standard Time). On June 10 (JST,) we have confirmed that it was successfully expanded and was generating power through its thin film solar cells at about 770 km from the Earth.
The IKAROS was launched on May 21, 2010 (JST), from the Tanegashima Space Center.
We will measure and observe the power generation status of the thin film solar cells, accelerate the satellite by photon pressure, and verify the orbit control through that acceleration. Through these activities, we will ultimately aim at acquiring navigation technology through the solar sail.

<Sail Deployment>

<First stage deployment taken by a monitor camera>

<Image of the view at the time of first stage deployment>

* In the above computer graphic,
the sails in the process of deployment look like they are slightly swelling,
but they are actually not as expanded as shown in the CG.

<Second stage deployment completion taken by a monitor camera>

* Harness: electric connection between the membrane and the main body
* Tether: mechanical connection between the membrane and the main body

<Image of the view after completing the second stage deployment>