The objective is to harness the propulsive power of sunlight for interstellar travel.
The US space agency revealed that it had deployed the solar sail 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) above Earth, four months after launching it into space. Measuring 80 square metres - roughly the same size as six parking spaces - NASA said the craft will be visible from Earth and as bright as the brightest star in the night sky under ideal viewing conditions.
“The advanced composite solar sail system introduces a new way to explore the cosmos,” NASA said. “Much like a sail boat is propelled by wind, a solar sail spacecraft is pushed by light from the Sun.”
The system works by utilising the pressure exerted by photons as they bounce off the reflective sail, thus eliminating the need for heavy propulsion equipment like rockets. The method allows a spacecraft to travel indefinitely, without the need to refuel or reposition itself - however its size and structure makes it vulnerable to damage from dust, debris and other particles.
Future solar sails could be as large as 2,000 square metres - roughly equivalent to half a football pitch - and could potentially power trips to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
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