Jan 24, 2018 - Science

Rocket Lab launches artificial "star" into space

U.S. aerospace manufacturer Rocket Lab launched four satellites into orbit on Monday, among them a geodesic sphere that the company claims will be the "brightest object in the night sky," according to Quartz.

Why it matters: The "Humanity Star," as its known, is made up of 65 reflective panels that will create a flashing effect in the sky as the object orbits Earth every 90 minutes. Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck views the project as more than just a publicity stunt, claiming in a statement that it symbolizes the need to "make big decisions in the context of humanity as a whole."

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