LCD 'Engine' For Spacecraft Attitude Control 95
Bruce Perens writes "Japan's IKAROS satellite, which earlier performed the first successful demonstration of a solar sail, has broken more new ground. Liquid-crystal displays — yes, like in your video monitor — were fabricated into strips on the edges of the solar sail. By energizing some of the LCDs and changing the reflective characteristics of parts of the sail from specular to diffuse, JAXA scientists successfully generated attitude control torque in the sail, changing the spacecraft's orientation."
Attitude Control (Score:1, Funny)
My wife needs that just about every month.
Re:Attitude Control (Score:5, Funny)
Color me impressed (Score:3, Funny)
I wonder what amount of torque they were able to develop with this? It seems like it was pretty effective.
Re:Color me impressed (Score:5, Funny)
just some light torque, i would think.
LCD? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:LCD? (Score:4, Funny)
Not a good idea. They'd probably use Sony components, and because it has to do with audio, it would have a rootkit.
Re:I have a CRT (Score:5, Funny)
Hello, this is Captain Jean Luc Picard.
On the bridge of the Enterprise, I have no problems with Number One. Number two is a different matter. That's why I use Star Fleet brand enemas. With a Star Fleet Enema, I can boldy go like no one has gone before!