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China is reportedly in the process of creating an “artificial moon” that would be bright enough to replace the streetlights in the south-western city of Chengdu by 2020.
Key points:
- Chinese scientists plan to install three artificial moons by 2022
- The illuminated satellite is designed to complement the moon at night
- The artificial moon could save hundreds of million of dollars a year in electricity costs
The illuminated satellite is said to be eight times brighter than the real moon, according to state media People’s Daily, and forms part of the country’s growing ambitions in space.
Chinese scientists plan to send three artificial moons into space in the next four years, and the moons — made from reflective material like a mirror — are expected to orbit at 500 kilometres above the Earth and light up an area with a diameter of 10 to 80 kilometres.
