# Sailing Solar Satellites The NASA Nanosail-D is a Efficient and Reliable Solution By Jordan M | Published 2011-01-29 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nasa-nanosail-d References: [nasa.gov](http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/smallsats/nanosaild.html) The [NASA](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-panel-origami-technology) Nanosail-D is the first [solar vehicle](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solarpowered-race-vehicle) in the history of humanity to orbit the earth. At 400 miles above the earth, the NASA Nanosail-D is a forerunner for generations of [solar satellites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-kite) to come and has proven to be both remarkably efficient and reliable. The satellite will orbit the Earth continuously until it eventually re-enters the earth's atmosphere to be disintegrated, but NASA already has bold ambitions for a host of future vehicles with similar technology on the way. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.0/10 - Popularity: 13% | Activity: 8% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Solar Satellites:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation to develop more advanced and versatile solar satellites for various applications. - **Efficient Satellites:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation to improve the efficiency of satellite technology, reducing costs and enhancing performance. - **Reliable Space Vehicles:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation to create reliable and long-lasting space vehicles for extended missions and exploration. ### Who This Affects Most - **Space Exploration:** Disruptive innovation can revolutionize space exploration by developing advanced solar satellites and reliable vehicles to expand our knowledge of the universe. - **Renewable Energy:** Disruptive innovation can contribute to the renewable energy industry by advancing solar satellite technology, making it a more effective and sustainable energy source. - **Aerospace Manufacturing:** Disruptive innovation can shape the aerospace industry by creating more efficient and reliable satellites, leading to advancements in manufacturing processes and techniques. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Progressive Air-Breathing Satellites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sabresat.md) - [Autonomous Sailing Research Vessels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/research-vessel.md) - [Zero-Emission Solar-Powered Aircrafts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/falcon-horizon.md) - [Eco-Friendly Nano Satellites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/orbex-prime.md) - [Renewable Energy Aircrafts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solarpowered-aircraft.md) - [IoT Space Satellites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/isar-aerospace.md) - [Solar-Powered Cargo Vans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-electric-van.md) - [Solar-Powered Sleek Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-solaris.md) - [AI-Powered Sail Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sail-system.md)