launched from Russia

Cosmos 1 solar sail

Failure
JUL 20200100:00:00 UTC

This suborbital flight was meant to test hardware for the Planetary Society's Cosmos 1 solar sail, but the spacecraft never separated from the Volna's third stage. The motor underperformed, the onboard computer sensed the shortfall and held the payload attached, and the inflatable reentry capsule riding along was lost with it.

launched from submarine K-496 Borisoglebsk Barents Sea

aboard Volna into Suborbital

Payloads · 2

  • 01

    Cosmos 1 solar sail

  • 02

    Inflatable re-entry heat shield test

last updated May 29, 2026