China will launch its own "artificial moon" by 2020



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According to the China Daily, "China is planning to launch its own" artificial moon "by 2020, with plans to replace streetlights and reduce electricity costs in urban areas. "Lighting satellites" are being developed in Chengdu, a city in southwestern Sichuan Province.

According to reports, this "artificial moon" will shine with the true moon, but it will be eight times brighter than the real one. Moon. In an interview with China Daily, Wu Chunfeng, head of Tian Fu's new science company, the organization responsible for the project said, "The first artificial moon will be launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan , and three others will follow 2022 if the first test goes well. "

" Although the first launch is experimental, the 2022 satellites will be a reality with great civic and commercial potential, "he said in an interview with China Daily. Reflecting the sunlight, satellites could replace urban street lights, saving about 1.2 billion yuan ($ 170 million) a year in electricity costs in Chengdu if the moon of human origin illuminates an area of ​​50 square kilometers . "The extraterrestrial light source could also help save efforts in disastrous areas during interruptions," added Chunfeng.

While China's space program is close to that of the United States and Russia, a series of ambitious projects is underway, notably Chang & # 39; Moon probe e-4 – named after the goddess of the moon in Chinese mythology – later in the year. If he succeeds, it will be the first rover to explore the "dark side" of the moon. The Chengdu Artificial Moon Project was announced by Wu at a conference on innovation and entrepreneurship held in Chengdu on October 10

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