NASA is set to embark on an experimental mission, aiming to utilize photons from the Sun to propel a spacecraft to higher altitudes. The Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) is scheduled for launch on Tuesday, during a launch window opening at 6 p.m. ET. The mission will take place onboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket, departing from the Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula.

The primary objective of NASA's ACS3 mission is to test new materials and deployable structures for solar sail propulsion systems. Notably, the mission will evaluate the effectiveness of composite booms made from a lightweight yet stiff polymer material. These booms will play a crucial role in unfurling the solar sail once it reaches orbit. Similar to a sailboat's boom, this innovative technology harnesses the propulsive power of sunlight to generate momentum.

Upon unfurling, the solar sail will expand to cover an impressive distance of 30 feet (9 meters) per side. By capturing and utilizing photons from the Sun, solar sails can generate small bursts of momentum, propelling the spacecraft farther away from the star. Crossing the threshold of Earth's atmospheric drag, the spacecraft holds the potential to reach considerable altitudes.

To achieve this, Rocket Lab's Electron rocket will deploy the ACS3 spacecraft at an altitude of approximately 600 miles (966 kilometers), double the height of the International Space Station. At this altitude, the solar sail will have ample opportunity to overcome atmospheric resistance using the minute force exerted by sunlight. NASA estimates this force to be equivalent to the weight of a paperclip resting on one's palm.

Interestingly, Rocket Lab is also pushing the boundaries of innovation during this mission. For the first time, they will reuse an Electron booster, emphasizing sustainability and cost-efficiency. Their "Beginning Of The Swarm" mission will utilize a booster that has already been employed in a previous launch.

Rocket Lab's Electron rocket marks a significant milestone in their quest for reusability. The booster used in the "Four Of A Kind" mission on January 31 was successfully recovered after deploying a parachute and splashing down in the Pacific Ocean approximately 17 minutes after liftoff. This booster will now be redeployed for another flight, demonstrating the company's commitment to refining their reusability practices, potentially rivaling industry leader SpaceX.

In addition to the ACS3 mission, the Electron rocket will also carry NEONSAT-1, an Earth observation satellite developed by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.

With the ACS3 mission, NASA and Rocket Lab are pushing the boundaries of solar sail propulsion technology while simultaneously exploring the possibilities of reusability in rocket launches. The launch of the Electron rocket with its reused booster represents a pivotal moment for Rocket Lab, further solidifying their position in the spaceflight industry.