/sci/ - Science & Math

>The LightSail 2 mission team has delayed deployment of the spacecraft’s solar sail until at least 21 July 2019 to conduct additional attitude control system testing and potentially update the spacecraft’s flight software. LightSail 2 remains stable and healthy in orbit, and returned another picture to mission control at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in California.
>With its solar sail stowed, LightSail 2 will remain stable in its current orbit. Once the sail is out, increased atmospheric drag will limit to about 1 month the time the spacecraft can raise its orbit. Therefore it is critical that the attitude control system is working as expected prior to sail deployment.
Will solar sailing become a viable mode of transport for less essential cargos or will it be a dead end?