Last week, the the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency launched solar sail, Ikaros, in space to much fanfare.

The solar sail was created using super-thin aluminumized plastic to reflect solar radiation back at the sun and in the process, propel itself through space.

Now, Ikaros needs to prove that solar-powered travel is indeed possible. It has been given five months to chart its way through space and its first destination is planet Venus.

This is an exciting new technology for future space-travel. You can ride these these solar sails like windsails but of course, you will want to travel in the opposite direction to the sun.

The US has taken a backseat on space exploration so it is great to see other countries like Japan and China stepping up on space technology research.

[JAXA via DiscoveryNews]