Japan prepares launch of first true solar sail

I wonder how fast these crafts will go

This is going to have a twofold effect if its successful. 1.) It will seriously cheapen the cost of space flight over time. 2.) It will spur more research into solar power, which will help the green movement in their battle for more efficient alternative energy. Speed ties into how much power you're getting. More power, more speed. I don't expect this first ship to move fast at all, but if they can prove the concept does work, it'll open the door to more testing and advanced research.

I wonder if this could be the beginning of large crafts that will travel through space exploring for lifetimes at a time

NICE! After it's been in a lot of animate and science fiction, it's nice to see this come to life!

I wonder if this could be the beginning of large crafts that will travel through space exploring for lifetimes at a time Shouldn't problems like time and bone mass losses be solved first?

NICE! After it's been in a lot of animate and science fiction, it's nice to see this come to life! Reminds me of that one ship at the end of Star Wars Episode II.

Didn't read the article (short on time), but what about micro-metorites. On a long trip it seems to me you would end up with a solar cobweb.

Awesome, hope it goes well.

Didn't read the article (short on time), but what about micro-metorites. On a long trip it seems to me you would end up with a solar cobweb. For now this'll be a short trip. Might still end up with a solar cobweb, but this is just proof of working concept. I can imagine the powersource being a shield as well, you know what I mean, a plasma barrier around the sail that burns off micrometeorites before they can injure the sail.