LightSail spacecraft declared a success after unfurling solar sail in orbit

Tiny privately funded vehicle will re-enter atmosphere after testing thin sails that could be used to gain propulsion from sun's rays

A privately funded space project to demonstrate an innovative solar sail passed with flying colours despite a series of near-fatal technical issues, program managers have said.

The five-kilogram LightSail spacecraft hitched a ride into orbit aboard an Atlas 5 rocket carrying the US Air Force's X-37B robot space plane on 20 May.