Launching Artificial Diamonds into the Universe Lit up the Night Sky

In 2018, the "artificial diamond" called Orbital Reflector will be introduced into space on SpaceX and on Earth's low orbit for nearly two months to light up the night sky. This article explains the key facts and context behind orbital reflector.

Key Facts About Orbital Reflector

Orbital Reflector is a diamond-shaped balloon made up of an extremely light, mylar-like material. It was packed inside a small satellite (3U) called CubeSat and brought into space by SpaceX Falcon 9 in early 2018.

Diamonds will be taken to the sky.(KickStarer photo.)

When reaching the low Earth orbit, at an altitude of 563 km, Orbital Reflector is inflated. It will reflect sunlight towards the Earth, shine in the night sky and move around the Earth's orbit. Therefore, we can observe it as an artificial star with the naked eye.

Why Orbital Reflector Matters

Orbital Reflector will be inflated at a height visible to the naked eye.(KickStarter Photo.)

Trevor Paglen, an artist working at the Nevada Museum of Art (USA) is the father of this crazy idea. This idea was inspired by Russian or NASA circular objects that were introduced into space from the early days of space history but were forgotten.

He said Orbital Reflector is an artificial satellite that belongs to everyone. It is a public sculpture of an art project, not for commercial, military or scientific purposes.

Users can know the location when it comes close thanks to Star Walk 2 sky observation application.