Mission What will DS1 do on its mission?

What does DS1 look like?

Deployed, DS1 will look like many satellites. It has a central module that is roughly shaped like a garbage can. All the instruments and sensors are on the central module. Extending to either side like wings are DS1's solar panels.

Figure from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Deep Space One Web Site: http://nmp.jpl.nasa.gov/ds1/

DS1's central module is about two meters tall. The total mass (weight) of the spacecraft is about 489.5 kg.

Figure courtesy Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Here are workers working on the central module of DS1.

What new technologies are being tested on DS1?
How does DS1's mission compare to other space missions?
How does DS1's communications system work?
Why do the solar panels look like wings?
How does DS1's electrical system work?
What is a satellite?

What's where on DS1?
Why is mass important?