Johannes Kepler (letter to Galileo, 1610)
“Provide ships or sails adapted to the heavenly breezes,
and there will be some who will brave even that void.”
On May 20, 2010, Japan launched IKAROS into space.
The IKAROS uses solar sailing as the main propulsion.
For propulsion IKAROS equips a thin reflective membrane, fondly known in science fiction as shiny metallic solar sails.
This was the first use of solar sails for interplanetary travel.
⛵
Launched from a rocket, the IKAROS spread out its sails, completed all planned experiments. Went on a journey to Venus and then entered an orbit around the sun.
The IKAROS is made to go into hibernation if there is no energy and resume if the sun hits the sails again.
🔭
Sadly, communication with IKAROS was lost on May 21, 2015.
Presumably, IKAROS boldly went to where no sail has gone before.
Hopefully finding a new star shining on its sails.
There have been several projects with solar sails.
If you count solar panels as sails, the Mariner 10, launched in 1973, was one of the very earliest projects.
In its mission of a year and several months the Mariner 10 flew by Mercury and Venus.
But the difference of weight and mass could provide improvements in mobility and flexibility.
🛰️
Most experiments with solar sails are done in orbit around Earth because it’s easier to collect data on a satellite that is nearby and not planets away.
The IKAROS, despite problems with communication and loss of valuable materials proved however that solar sails can be used for interplanetary travel and can sail on for longer periods.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IKAROS
https://global.jaxa.jp/countdown/f17/overview/ikaros_e.html