A decades-long dream of sending a probe to space that sails on the sun’s radiation is one step closer to becoming a reality.
A Kickstarter launched by the Planetary Society — currently led by Bill Nye (the Science Guy) — hit its crowdfunding goal for the non-profit’s LightSail spacecraft in a matter of days. So far, the organization has raised more than $212,000 (of its $200,000 goal) since the campaign began on Tuesday.
WE DID IT! $200,000 goal for #LightSail reached in just over 24 hours! Let's keep going! http://t.co/GfqE1ftMi9 pic.twitter.com/pEZYHryVPU— Planetary Society (@exploreplanets) May 13, 2015
The idea of the light sail was promoted by Planetary Society co-founder and famed scientist Carl Sagan in the 1970s. Now, his idea of a spacecraft that can be propelled by just the sun’s radiation will be put to the test.
When launched, the small spacecraft could demonstrate that sailing on the sun’s wind might be a good, energy saving way to explore space.
The Planetary Society is already planning to send a prototype of the LightSail to space on May 20 by hitching a ride on a U.S. Air Force mission to orbit. The money from this Kickstarter will help fund the main mission, currently expected to launch next year.
Now that they’ve reached their initial goal, the Planetary Society will keep the fundraising going until the campaign ends on June 26. The non-profit is asking for no more than $1 million for the Kickstarter.
The LightSail project will cost about $5.45 million total, and before the Kickstarter was fully funded, the Planetary Society needed to raise $1.2 million to make the mission a reality.
People that support the LightSail Kickstarter could also get a number of rewards for their contributions. The Planetary Society is offering everything from membership with the organization to a VIP launch party with Bill Nye in 2016.
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