Overview of IKAROS Mission

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) makes the world’s first solar power sail demonstration of photon propulsion and thin film solar power generation during its interplanetary cruise by IKAROS (Interplanetary Kite-craft Accelerated by Radiation Of the Sun). It deployed and spans a membrane of 20 m in diameter taking the advantage of the spin centrifugal force. It accelerates and controls the orbit using solar radiation pressure successfully. This is the first actual solar sail flying an interplanetary voyage. This paper presents the summary of development and operation of IKAROS.