THE PLANETARY SOCIETY
MEMBERS NEWSLETTER
May 2005
SPECIAL SOLAR SAIL EDITION –
LAUNCH WINDOW OPENS JUNE 21!
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When Cosmos 1 unfurls its 5-story reflective sails and
begins orbiting our planet, it will stand as a truly
remarkable feat in the history of exploration. Not only
will it be celebrated as a stepping stone to deep space,
but also as a milestone in the advancement of space exploration.
The Planetary Society and you, its Members, are truly
pushing the frontiers of space. Stay tuned in the
weeks to come for special coverage of this extraordinary
event!
Don't' miss it!
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IN THIS ISSUE:
- Cosmos 1 Spacecraft Shipped for Launch
- Project Director Update
- Solar Sail Watch - How to See Cosmos 1
- Video - View Cosmos 1 Before it Shipped
- Planetary Radio - Solar Sail Special Online May 23
- Cosmos 1 Store - Patchs, Pins, T-shirts, Jackets, and more
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COSMOS 1 SHIPS IN PREPARATION FOR JUNE LAUNCH
Cosmos 1, the world's first solar sail spacecraft,
has shipped in preparation for a launch window that
opens on June 21, 2005, traveling from the test facility
of Lavochkin Association in Moscow to the Russian
naval base at Severomorsk.
Read more at:
http://planetary.org/solarsail/prelaunch_report1_20050517.html
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SOLAR SAIL PROJECT DIRECTOR UPDATE:
POISED FOR SUCCESS
by Louis Friedman
The most frequently asked question I am getting this
month about our solar sail mission is, "How do you feel?"
Pretty nervous, highly anxious, full of hope, and proud -
proud that we have come this far and built the world's
first solar sail spacecraft and readied it for launch.
We are poised for success.
Read the entire update at:
http://planetary.org/solarsail/update_20050518.html
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SOLAR SAIL WATCH
As Cosmos 1 orbits our planet, it will be visible from
nearly every location on Earth at one time or
another - so everyone can participate in our mission!
Here's how you can track the flight of the first
solar sail spacecraft as it passes overhead, plus eCards,
a photo contest and more!
Find out more about Solar Sail Watch at:
http://planetary.org/solarsail/watch/index.html
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VIDEO: COSMOS 1 SPACECRAFT FINAL ASSEMBLY
See the Cosmos 1 spacecraft being packed up and
readied for launch.
Videoclips include:
- The giant sails before being tightly folded
and mounted to the spacecraft.
- Final installation of the solar panels on the spacecraft.
- Close-ups of the completed spacecraft.
See Cosmos 1 at:
http://planetary.org/solarsail/animation.html
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PLANETARY RADIO
THIS WEEK'S SHOW
Era of Solar Sailing Begins!
The launch of Cosmos 1 will also launch the era of solar sailing.
With just a month left before liftoff, Project Manager Lou Friedman
provides an update. Carl Sagan's widow and former collaborator Ann
Druyan talks about committing Cosmos Studios to this mission.
Hear Planetary Radio at:
http://planetary.org/audio/planetaryradio.html
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COSMOS 1 STORE
Mission patches, pins, t-shirts, jackets, posters
and more. Items purchased from The Planetary Society
store are another way of supporting Cosmos 1 and
The Planetary Society. Thank you.
See all of our Cosmos 1 gear and collectibles:
http://planetary.org/solarsail/store.html
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