COSMOS 1 UNFURLS ONE OF ITS 47-FOOT BLADES AT CENTENNIAL OF FLIGHT IN NEW YORK CITY JULY 29 – AUGUST 18

Come see a solar sail blade from Cosmos 1 at the
Rockefeller Center! The Planetary Society and Cosmos
Studios have unfolded a replica of one of the eight
47-foot blades that make up the Cosmos 1 solar sail
spacecraft, which is slated to launch later this year.
The solar sail blade gives the public a first look at
future space flight technology.

Read about this event at:
http://www.planetary.org/solarsail/ss_at_rc.html

FOLLOW THIS HISTORIC MISSION COSMOS 1: THE FIRST SOLAR SAIL

This fall science fiction will become science fact…
On an autumn day later this year, we will launch on its
way Cosmos 1 the first solar sail. This launch will be
the culmination of the first international, privately
funded space mission in history.

Although this technology has long been foreseen by both
scientists and science-fiction authors, no solar sail
has ever been built or launched – until now. Under the
guidance of The Planetary Society and with funding from
Cosmos Studios, veteran space scientists and engineers
from the United States and Russia came together to turn
this revolutionary technology into reality.

Follow this historic mission at:
http://www.planetary.org/solarsail/index2.html

SEND A BIRTHDAY GREETING TO RAY BRADBURY

On August 22, 2003, Ray (Martian Chronicles) Bradbury
turns 83 years old. To honor the man who has contributed
so much to the world of science fiction, The Planetary
Society wants to present Mr. Bradbury with the world’s
largest birthday card – with “Happy Birthday” wishes
from fans around the world.

The Planetary Society will collect names and birthday
greetings through August 20, 2003.

Send your birthday wishes at:
https://planetary.org/bradbury/

CELEBRATE MARS DAY AUGUST 27, 2003

On August 27, the planet Mars will be closer to
Earth than it has been in more than 50,000 years.
To celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime event, The
Planetary Society has declared August 27, 2003 Mars
Day. During this “Close Encounter of a Red Kind”
Mars will be a beautiful sight in the sky for
anyone who looks up.

The public can participate in Mars Day in a wide
variety of ways. You can attend one of our
international Mars Watch 2003 co-sponsored events
such as star parties, sci-fi film festivals,
and Mars talks, or simply go outside and look
at the Red Planet.

For information on viewing Mars go to:
http://planetary.org/marswatch2003/observe.html

Find a Mars Watch Event in you area at:
http://planetary.org/marswatch2003/events.html