NASA to Launch Advanced Solar Sail Demonstrator Next Week

The solar sail, capable of being visible from Earth, aims to test new propulsion technologies using sunlight.

NASA's Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) is scheduled for launch on April 24, aiming to demonstrate new composite boom technologies.
The solar sail, approximately the size of six US parking spots, will deploy 600 miles above Earth and could shine as bright as Sirius.
The mission will test the sail's ability to adjust the spacecraft's orbit using sunlight, potentially paving the way for future large-scale solar sails.
ACS3 is a secondary payload on Rocket Lab's 'Beginning Of The Swarm' mission, with NEONSAT-1 as the primary payload monitoring natural disasters.
The technology could lead to solar sails as large as half a soccer field, enhancing propulsion capabilities for deep-space missions.