Watch Carl Sagan pitch solar-powered spacecrafts to Johnny Carson — in 1976

Watch Carl Sagan pitch solar-powered spacecrafts to Johnny Carson — in 1976

Nearly 40 years after Carl Sagan appeared on The Tonight Show with a sail and a dream, the late astronomer's plans for a solar-powered spacecraft may soon be a reality.

Science Guy Bill Nye launched a Kickstarter campaign to help crowdfund his LightSail project on Tuesday. Less than two days later, Nye and his team at the Planetary Society had already passed their initial goal of $325,000, which they say will fund the spacecraft's building and initial testing. The LightSail, which Nye describes as the "people's spacecraft," would feature a tiny satellite, propelled along its starry journey by kite-like sails that rely on the sun's energy for fuel.

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Sarah Eberspacher

Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.