Loading video...

Video Failed to Load

There was a problem loading this video. This could be due to a temporary network issue or the video might be unavailable.

NASA's solar sail spacecraft is testing a new way to navigate the solar system using the power of sunlight. The spacecraft was launched aboard a Rocket Lab rocket and moves without conventional fuel. In the future, this technology could allow spacecraft to reach Mars in as little as 26 days.

Space and Technology

33,516 subscribers

38,766 views • 1 month ago •via X (Twitter)

Science & Technology Education News & Politics

Anya Rossi• Live Now

Private livecam show

0 Comments

No comments available

Comments from the original post will appear here

Related Videos

49 years ago Today, the spacecraft Voyager 2 was launched to its Grand Tour of the Solar System and beyond.

49 years ago Today, the spacecraft Voyager 2 was launched to its Grand Tour of the Solar System and beyond.

Massimo

40,212 views • 22 days ago

"Starship is going to revolutionize space. It's the first rocket design that is capable of full and rapid reusability. Reusability is the fundamental breakthrough that is necessary to make life multi-planetary, as well as to ascend the Kardashev scale. You simply cannot ascend the Kardashev scale unless you have a reusable spacecraft, and you cannot extend life to the moon, to Mars, and the rest of the solar system without a reusable rocket." — Elon Musk

"Starship is going to revolutionize space. It's the first rocket design that is capable of full and rapid reusability. Reusability is the fundamental breakthrough that is necessary to make life multi-planetary, as well as to ascend the Kardashev scale. You simply cannot ascend the Kardashev scale unless you have a reusable spacecraft, and you cannot extend life to the moon, to Mars, and the rest of the solar system without a reusable rocket." — Elon Musk

DogeDesigner

29,623 views • 3 months ago

Going to Mars IS awesome! 🛰️ 🛰️ Learn more about the two identical spacecraft designed, built, integrated, and tested by Rocket Lab for Space Sciences Laboratory and NASA's ESCAPADE mission, from the makers of Mars spacecraft themselves. The ESCAPADE mission sets to further unravel the mysteries of the Red Planet, studying its unique hybrid magnetosphere. 📅 Mark Your Calendars: No earlier than October 13, the mission launches on Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral, FL! 🚀

Going to Mars IS awesome! 🛰️ 🛰️ Learn more about the two identical spacecraft designed, built, integrated, and tested by Rocket Lab for Space Sciences Laboratory and NASA's ESCAPADE mission, from the makers of Mars spacecraft themselves. The ESCAPADE mission sets to further unravel the mysteries of the Red Planet, studying its unique hybrid magnetosphere. 📅 Mark Your Calendars: No earlier than October 13, the mission launches on Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral, FL! 🚀

Rocket Lab

58,535 views • 2 years ago

$RKLB Rocket Lab Robotics is very exciting! It makes Rocket Lab "one of the few companies in the world capable of delivering Mars missions across the entire spectrum. That's launch, spacecraft, software, and now Mars proven robotics for surface and on orbit operations." More info in the video below 👇

$RKLB Rocket Lab Robotics is very exciting! It makes Rocket Lab "one of the few companies in the world capable of delivering Mars missions across the entire spectrum. That's launch, spacecraft, software, and now Mars proven robotics for surface and on orbit operations." More info in the video below 👇

ValueOverPrice

13,475 views • 2 months ago

For NASA’s next generation of deep space exploration missions, spacecraft may need to refuel in Earth orbit before pushing farther into the solar system. Engineers from #NASAMarshall and L3Harris are testing a technology vital for in-orbit refueling:

For NASA’s next generation of deep space exploration missions, spacecraft may need to refuel in Earth orbit before pushing farther into the solar system. Engineers from #NASAMarshall and L3Harris are testing a technology vital for in-orbit refueling:

NASA Marshall

77,501 views • 2 months ago

08:20 Putin: “We will announce a new weapon, soon” 14:30 An accident occurred at the Scientific Testing Center of the Rocket and Space Industry of Russia in Peresvet, Moscow. This is a key facility of "Roscosmos" for testing rocket engines and spacecraft. This is the main qualification center for Russian rockets and spacecraft before launch. 18:00 Putin “Don’t ask me questions, who do you think you are”

08:20 Putin: “We will announce a new weapon, soon” 14:30 An accident occurred at the Scientific Testing Center of the Rocket and Space Industry of Russia in Peresvet, Moscow. This is a key facility of "Roscosmos" for testing rocket engines and spacecraft. This is the main qualification center for Russian rockets and spacecraft before launch. 18:00 Putin “Don’t ask me questions, who do you think you are”

Beefeater

134,912 views • 11 months ago

"Let's put some fire in this rocket." After several delays, Boeing's Starliner spacecraft launched carrying two astronauts to the ISS.

"Let's put some fire in this rocket." After several delays, Boeing's Starliner spacecraft launched carrying two astronauts to the ISS.

USA TODAY

15,350 views • 2 years ago

Solar System bodies make deep space exploration more fuel efficient! Today’s video shows the Psyche spacecraft gaining speed and changing its trajectory with minimal fuel spent due to a gravity assist from Mars in May 2026. Mars has an average orbital speed of almost 87,000 km/h (54,000 mph) around the Sun. Its orbital motion and its gravity allowed Mars to pull Psyche along with it, increasing the spacecraft’s speed. Gravity assists have been used since 1959’s Luna 3 mission to allow for spacecraft (the Voyagers, Cassini) to reach farther than they could with fuel alone. This assist helped the Psyche spacecraft on its journey to the Psyche asteroid, which it will reach in 2029. While passing Mars, the spacecraft tested instruments that will analyze the asteroid’s composition and magnetic field. This is the first mission to an asteroid thought to be largely made of metal, an essential building block for planets, rather than rock or ice. Video Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/True Story Films Text: Keighley Rockcliffe (NASA GSFC, UMBC CSST, CRESST II)

Solar System bodies make deep space exploration more fuel efficient! Today’s video shows the Psyche spacecraft gaining speed and changing its trajectory with minimal fuel spent due to a gravity assist from Mars in May 2026. Mars has an average orbital speed of almost 87,000 km/h (54,000 mph) around the Sun. Its orbital motion and its gravity allowed Mars to pull Psyche along with it, increasing the spacecraft’s speed. Gravity assists have been used since 1959’s Luna 3 mission to allow for spacecraft (the Voyagers, Cassini) to reach farther than they could with fuel alone. This assist helped the Psyche spacecraft on its journey to the Psyche asteroid, which it will reach in 2029. While passing Mars, the spacecraft tested instruments that will analyze the asteroid’s composition and magnetic field. This is the first mission to an asteroid thought to be largely made of metal, an essential building block for planets, rather than rock or ice. Video Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/True Story Films Text: Keighley Rockcliffe (NASA GSFC, UMBC CSST, CRESST II)

NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day

35,204 views • 1 month ago

Getting ready to rocket! 🚀 The Orion spacecraft we built for NASA's Artemis II mission has been stacked onto the Space Launch System rocket! Early next year, "Integrity" will carry four astronauts on a mission to the Moon.

Getting ready to rocket! 🚀 The Orion spacecraft we built for NASA's Artemis II mission has been stacked onto the Space Launch System rocket! Early next year, "Integrity" will carry four astronauts on a mission to the Moon.

Lockheed Martin Space

295,555 views • 10 months ago

Today, True Anomaly's JACKAL-0004 spacecraft officially begins VICTUS HAZE mission operations. Alongside Rocket Lab and partners from the United States Space Force, True Anomaly will operate its Jackal spacecraft and Mosaic command and control system as part of the USSF’s most advanced demonstration of Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) to date. We are proud to work alongside Rocket Lab, Space Safari, and the USSF operations community to execute this mission. Read more on our blog

Today, True Anomaly's JACKAL-0004 spacecraft officially begins VICTUS HAZE mission operations. Alongside Rocket Lab and partners from the United States Space Force, True Anomaly will operate its Jackal spacecraft and Mosaic command and control system as part of the USSF’s most advanced demonstration of Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) to date. We are proud to work alongside Rocket Lab, Space Safari, and the USSF operations community to execute this mission. Read more on our blog

True Anomaly

66,148 views • 2 months ago

Mars’ atmosphere has been eroding for billions of years as the Sun’s energy pummels it. #AGU23 Recently, our orbiting MAVEN spacecraft detected a brief void in the solar wind, causing the Red Planet's magnetosphere to expand dramatically:

Mars’ atmosphere has been eroding for billions of years as the Sun’s energy pummels it. #AGU23 Recently, our orbiting MAVEN spacecraft detected a brief void in the solar wind, causing the Red Planet's magnetosphere to expand dramatically:

NASA

587,368 views • 2 years ago

$RKLB Rocket Lab has won an Astro Award, alongside NASA and Blue Origin, for the ESCAPADE mission 🏆 Congratulations, Rocket Lab! Rocket Lab fits right in with the big boys ;) Matthew Gentile, Spacecraft Mechanical Lead at Rocket Lab, accepted the award on behalf of the team and delivered the speech. Thanks Everyday Astronaut for a great event!

$RKLB Rocket Lab has won an Astro Award, alongside NASA and Blue Origin, for the ESCAPADE mission 🏆 Congratulations, Rocket Lab! Rocket Lab fits right in with the big boys ;) Matthew Gentile, Spacecraft Mechanical Lead at Rocket Lab, accepted the award on behalf of the team and delivered the speech. Thanks Everyday Astronaut for a great event!

ValueOverPrice

21,909 views • 7 months ago

MASSIVE SOLAR ERUPTION SWALLOWS SPACECRAFT The Sun just unleashed its largest eruption in days, sending a massive cloud of plasma racing into space. The expanding debris briefly engulfed the STEREO-A spacecraft as it monitored the event, offering a remarkable view of the eruption from within the plasma cloud. While this eruption does not currently appear to be Earth-directed, solar activity continues to intensify. 👇 Do you think the Sun is entering a much more active phase? #MrMBB333 #SpaceWeather

MASSIVE SOLAR ERUPTION SWALLOWS SPACECRAFT The Sun just unleashed its largest eruption in days, sending a massive cloud of plasma racing into space. The expanding debris briefly engulfed the STEREO-A spacecraft as it monitored the event, offering a remarkable view of the eruption from within the plasma cloud. While this eruption does not currently appear to be Earth-directed, solar activity continues to intensify. 👇 Do you think the Sun is entering a much more active phase? #MrMBB333 #SpaceWeather

Michael Bradbury

24,983 views • 2 months ago

I'm excited to announce we have achieved our Tier 1 mission success criteria and have begun gathering a tremendous amount of data on how this brand new spacecraft performs. On March 30th, 13:17:08Z, the Gravitas spacecraft separated from the SpaceX Transporter-16 stack to begin its mission as one of the highest power free-flying satellites ever launched. Immediately after separation, the spacecraft autonomously: - Executed detumbling maneuvers - Established two-way communications with the ground (on our very first ground station pass) - Deployed its 20kW solar arrays - Slewed to a safe and stable attitude to await further ground commands These actions alone are a testament to the incredible work of our in-house engineering, software, and GNC teams to build a robust spacecraft. Since then, our operations team completed all initial system activations and checkouts, confirming the vehicle is in a power positive and thermally stable state with no major anomalies observed at this time. We completed this phase of the mission ahead of schedule. Next up we will be powering up and downlinking data for all payloads aboard the Gravitas spacecraft in support of our customers and partners while continuing to put the spacecraft through its paces. As we noted ahead of launch: The goal of this mission is to experiment and push our systems to the limit to inform future missions. I look forward to sharing more on our successes and challenges as the mission proceeds. Video of our satellite below; link to full T-16 webcast:

Neel Kunjur

90,206 views • 5 months ago