Greg Laue

Papers

Total Citations

336

H-Index

About

Greg Laue is a leading figure in the development of solar sail propulsion and small satellite technologies. His most influential contribution is the NanoSail-D mission, a pioneering demonstration of a solar sail deployed from a CubeSat. The seminal paper detailing this mission, "NanoSail-D: A solar sail demonstration mission" (2010), has garnered over 330 citations, underscoring its foundational role in advancing lightweight, propellant-free space propulsion. Laue's work proved that large, ultra-thin sails could be reliably unfurled in orbit, opening the door for future deep-space missions and de-orbiting concepts. Beyond this flagship achievement, his research spans the design and flight qualification of compact spacecraft systems, including deployable structures and attitude control for smallsats. Laue’s contributions have directly influenced NASA’s subsequent solar sail programs and inspired a generation of engineers working on low-cost, high-risk space exploration. His legacy is defined by turning a visionary concept into a tangible, flight-validated technology that continues to shape the trajectory of modern spaceflight.