LightSail 2 is a concept that promises a lot in the field of interplanetary navigation: it does not actually use a traditional fuel, but rather the Sun to move within the Solar System saving weight and promising unknown speeds so far. In reality, the idea is not new, but it remained for a long time only theory (or in the past with some timid attempt).
The solar sail idea used in LightSail 2 enables you to use a big sail capable of collecting particles from the Sun and thus reaching very elevated speeds (at least theoretically) greater than those of present missiles.
LightSail 2 is still an experimental project, however, so its weight is only 5 kilograms and can be linked to a cubesat. Very few features on board, including connectivity via an antenna. Due to the operational complexity of this mission (started with a Falcon Heavy), even at the start of the activities a possible failure was anticipated.
But the little sample has sent a signal to Earth right now. Very few bits of data that engineers required to know the correct positioning of the communications antenna. Not a little thing.
"The Georgia Tech Prox-1 spacecraft has accomplished its work perfectly, releasing LightSail 2 into the required orbit for solar navigation," said Dave Spencer (project director of the project). "Receiving the original radio signal from LightSail 2 is an significant milestone and the flight team is happy to begin activities."
But that's just part of the task. Only at the start of next week will LightSail 2 clarify its wing (consisting of four ultralight parts). This will be the hardest and most complicated time and could lead to a (pleasant) failure or a success.
For about a month, the scientists will follow the probe to know if the Sun can actually give a push (very light). If the mission was a success, a new era of interplanetary travel could be opened, even though some more concrete results will take time to see.