Carl Sagan's Sails to Catch Solar Winds on May 20

Noted astronomer and science exponent Carl Sagan's idea of sailing in space using solar propulsion is set to be tested later this month.

The Planetary Society which is backed by notable names in science will launch its experimental into space sail on May 20 using a rocket. The light sail's unfurling will be tested during the project's first round in the space. Sagan had envisioned as far back as in 1976 that it would be possible to sail in space, propelled by dust and radiation wind from the Sun.

The sail will hitch a ride on Atlas V Rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The sail's earlier launch on May 6 had to be postponed.

Solar sailing has been tested before and the society's efforts are third in the pecking order. The latest sail is a 32 square meter, 4.5 micron thick reflective mylar sheet. When light falls on the sheet, it helps generate momentum. While the thrust and acceleration from solar winds may be small compared to rocket fuel, the energy is unlimited and helps reducing weight of a transport vehicle.

The second mylar sail will make its way to space in 2016 to catch the wind. The Light Sail project is completely funded by citizens.