selected
The Japanese experimental spacecraft IKAROS (model pictured) flew by Venus at a distance of 80,800 km (50,200 mi), completing its planned mission to demonstrate solar-sail technology.
Related Wikipedia articles
IKAROS
First interplanetary solar sail spacecraft
IKAROS is a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) experimental spacecraft. The spacecraft was launched on 20 May 2010, aboard an H-IIA rocket, together with the Akatsuki probe and four other small spacecraft. IKAROS is the first spacecraft to successfully demonstrate solar…Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Solar sail
Space propulsion method using Sun radiation
Solar sails are a method of spacecraft propulsion using radiation pressure exerted by sunlight on large surfaces. A number of spaceflight missions to test solar propulsion and navigation have been proposed since the 1980s. The two spacecraft to successfully use the technology…Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)