Japan's Solar Sail to Jupiter
This graphic by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency depicts a potential solar sail mission to Jupiter propelled only by the sun's light.
Electric Sail Prototype to Ride the Solar Wind
An artist concept of an electric solar sail. The center package contains the solar panels powering an electron gun that keeps the many tethers charged.
Submarine Launch of Solar Sail
An artist's illustration of the submarine-based rocket launch that aimed to loft a small solar sail into orbit for the Planetary Society.
Rocket Loaded With Solar Sail and Satellites Blasts Off From Alaska
A shot of a Minotaur 4 rocket carrying seven satellites - including a NASA solar sail - blasting off on Nov. 19, 2010, from a site in Alaska.
Sunshine Life for Me (Sail Away)
NASA engineers are testing solar sails, a unique propulsion technology which rely on sunlight to propel vehicles through space. The sail captures solar particles, called photons. This image is of a four-quadrant solar sail system, measuring 66 feet on each side, being tested in the world's largest vacuum chamber at NASA's Glenn Research Center at Plum Brook Station in Sandusky, Ohio.
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
