NASA has deployed a solar sail in space for the first time, with the goal of harnessing the propulsive power of sunlight for interstellar travel.
NASA has launched a state-of-the-art solar sail PHOTO: X
The US space agency has revealed that it has deployed the solar sail 1,000 kilometers above Earth, four months after launching into space.
Measuring 80 square meters, NASA said it is visible from Earth and is as bright as the brightest star in the night sky, according to antena3.ro.
“Advanced Composite Solar Sail System Introduces a New Way to Explore the Cosmos”, according to NASA. “Just as a sailboat is propelled by the wind, a spacecraft with solar sails is propelled by sunlight.”
The state-of-the-art propulsion method, which was first theorized in the 17th century, was limited by the materials and structure required to be effective.
Recent advances have finally made it possible to harness the power of sunlight. The method allows a spacecraft to travel indefinitely without needing to refuel or reposition—however, its size and structure make it vulnerable to damage from dust, debris, and other particles.
