Solar sails can propel a spacecraft for enormous stretches of space. While traditional rocket powered spacecrafts can do the same, solar sails do it without the use of fuel. Technically solar sails can travel in space infinitely, as there is always a light source. However, solar sails can slow down due to atmospheric drag.

When solar sails travel in space, their velocity will increase due to a constant force being applied.  For a solar sailed powered spacecraft to speed up the sail must be tilted in away so that the light from the sun speeds it up, this position usually has the sail facing the sun or at an angle depending on if the operator wants to change the course. To decrease speed the sail would be tilted in the opposite direction and the light will act as a break to slow the spacecraft down. Maneuvering in space with solar sails is determined by what angle the sail is oriented relative to the sun.

Solar sails are considered an excellent spacecraft propulsion system for exploring space due to their cheap operating costs and long operating lifetimes. The lifespan of the sail is very dependent on the type of voyage; sails traveling in high temperature environments will have a lower life span than sails operating in low temperature environments.