Solar Sailing

On Tuesday (June 21st), the Cosmos 1 spacecraft (FAQs) will be launched using a rocket from a Russian submarine in the Barents Sea. Once in space, it will open a bank of 49-foot Mylar sails and will be relying on light (photons) reflecting off the sails to power its movement. This project was developed by non-governmental organization, The Planetary Society. Read about viewing the Comos 1 as it orbits Earth.