China will launch an artificial moon to illuminate the night sky

Artificial moons could replace street lights in urban areas, would save 1.2 billion yuan ($ 0 million) a year in electricity costs for Chengdu. (Photo Reuters)

With the goal of replacing streetlights and reducing electricity costs in urban areas of the country, China plans to launch its own "artificial moon" by 2020, according to China Daily . "Illumination satellites" are being developed in Chengdu, a city in southwestern Sichuan, which will be facing each other. .

"The first artificial moon will be launched from the Sichuan Xichang Satellite Launch Center, and three more will follow in 2022 if the first test goes well. Although the first launch is experimental, the 2022 satellites will be a real potential, with great civic and commercial potential, "said Wu Chunfeng, head of the new science company of Tian Fu region – the organization responsible of the project.

announced by Wu at a conference on innovation and entrepreneurship in Chengdu on October 10.

Artificial moons could replace street lights in urban areas, which would save about 1.2 billion yuan ($ 170 million) a year in electricity costs in Chengdu, if the moons artificial illuminate an area of ​​50 square kilometers. Light can also be useful in disaster areas during power outages.

In addition to the scientific institute of the new Tian Fu District, the Harbin Institute of Technology and China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp also participate in the development of artificial moons.

China is not the first country that tries to make artificial light with the help of Sunlight. In the 1990s, Russian scientists would have used giant mirrors to reflect the light of space as part of an experimental project called Znamya or Banner.

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