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Solar sail technology seems so promising as a means of allowing our species to take our first steps into space. It's a shame that more isn't being put into it,
by vivekd 9y ago
Solar sail technology seems so promising as a means of allowing our species to take our first steps into space. It's a shame that more isn't being put into it, as far as I am aware, the first test on it was done just two years ago.
- greglindahl 9y agoNo, there was testing earlier than that. In particular, a Japanese test in Venus transfer orbit starting in 2010: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_sail https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_sail The one 2 years ago was the Planetary Society's Lightsail, which had a big crowdfunding campaign. The next iteration of Lightsail is launching on the 2nd Falcon Heavy flight.