Comment by msl

8 years ago

That is not particulary far-fetched either: the ISS already reorients its solar panels when not illuminated by the sun. They call it the "night glider mode" [1].

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_Glider_mode

Night Glider sounds vaguely like some 80s TV show. I do hope everyone on board is required to wear non-functional sunglasses during night glide.

> The implementation of drag-reducing flight modes of the space station resulted in saving about 1,000 kg of orbital-maintenance propellant per year.