Cosmos 1: Sailing on sunlight

Cosmos 1 is an ambitious experiment to harness the power of the Sun to drive a spacecraft.

Scientists believe “sun-sailing” craft may in the future be able to reach sufficiently high speeds to make travel around the Solar System viable.

The probe is due to be launched on Tuesday evening at 2045 GMT from a Russian Delta III class submarine in a Volna rocket, a converted former nuclear missile. The privately funded mission is being co-ordinated by the Planetary Society.


BBC