Everyone knows that solar energy is free and almost limitless here on Earth. The same is true for spacecraft operating in the inner Solar System. But in space, the Sun can do more than provide electrical energy; it also emits an unending stream of solar wind.
Solar sails can harness that wind and provide propulsion for spacecraft. NASA is about to test a new solar sail design that can make solar sails even more effective.
Solar pressure pervades the entire Solar System. It weakens with distance, but it's present. It affects all spacecraft, including satellites. It affects longer-duration space flights dramatically.
The most recent solar sail spacecraft is the Planetary Society's LightSail 2 , launched in 2019. LightSail 2 was a successful mission that lasted over three years.
Though solar sails are much lighter than other spacecraft, the weight of the booms is still a hindrance.
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