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http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/11/10/solar.sail.ap/index.html
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A solar sail spacecraft [Cosmos 1] designed to be propelled by the pressure of sunlight will be launched early next year [March - April]
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A prototype of the society's sail was launched by Russia in 2001 but the rocket did not develop enough thrust and the spacecraft failed to separate from the booster.
Cosmos 1 is designed to go into a nearly polar orbit more than 500 miles high and operate for a month.
Phobos said:http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/11/10/solar.sail.ap/index.html
A solar sail launch is a type of space mission that uses a spacecraft equipped with a large, lightweight sail to harness the momentum of photons from the sun and propel the spacecraft through space. It is a form of spacecraft propulsion that does not require traditional fuel sources.
The next solar sail launch is currently scheduled for 2025. This launch will be a joint mission between NASA and The Planetary Society, and it will carry a solar sail spacecraft called LightSail 2.
The main purpose of a solar sail launch is to demonstrate the potential of solar sail technology for future space missions. Solar sails could potentially be used for long-distance space travel, as they do not require traditional fuel sources and can continue to accelerate even in the vacuum of space.
A solar sail spacecraft works by using the pressure of photons from the sun to propel the spacecraft forward. The sail is made of a thin, reflective material that reflects the photons and transfers their momentum to the spacecraft. This allows the spacecraft to gradually accelerate and reach high speeds.
One of the main challenges of a solar sail launch is achieving and maintaining the correct trajectory and orientation of the spacecraft. The sail must be positioned at the right angle to reflect the photons and propel the spacecraft in the desired direction. Additionally, the spacecraft must be able to withstand the harsh conditions of space, such as extreme temperatures and radiation.