NASA recently announced that they will be launching the LightSail 2 spacecraft, which will help them determine the practicality of using solar sails for interplanetary missions.

The spacecraft will be launched using SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy. This will mark the Falcon Heavy’s second trip to space after the successful launch on Feb. 6 that carried the red Tesla Roadster on an orbital path past Mars.

The main mission of this LightSail 2 spacecraft is to test out “flight by light” – or solar sailing – in space. This method of propulsion relies on the slight push of charged particles from the sun to move the spacecraft. This is a very beneficial method of propulsion as it requires no onboard fuel.

The LightSail 1 was launched on May 20, 2015 but was met with a number of problems. The LightSail 2 addresses many of those various issues and makes many improvements. For example, one of the major hardware changes will be what is known as a momentum wheel, which contains a rapidly spinning wheel that will help maintain LightSail 2's position and orientation in space.

NASA upgraded many components of the software and also upgraded the cameras that are used to transmit the images of the sails. This will allow the LightSail 2 to transmit real-time data on the solar sail’s behavior while in space. NASA has also modified the radio signal, which will allow scientists to better assess the health and flight status of the spacecraft.

The LightSail 2 will launch no earlier than June 13 from Cape Canaveral in Florida, according to Space.com.