Question: Which country is planning to launch an artificial moon by 2020?
(a)USA
(b)UK
(c)Japan
(d)China
Answer:(d)
Related facts:
Why in News?
- China is planning to launch its own ‘artificial moon’ by 2020 to boost the glow of the real moon eight times, it will replace streetlamps and lower electricity costs in urban areas.
About the Illumination Satellite:
- The first man-made moon will be launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in Sichuan.
- The satellite will reflect light from the sun that will replace streetlamps in urban areas for 50 sq km saving an estimated USD 170 million a year in electricity costs for Chengdu.
- It will also help in rescue efforts in disaster zones during blackouts through the extraterrestrial source of light.
Other related missions of China:
- Chang’e-4 lunar probe is aimed to be launched later in this year. It is named after moon goddess in Chinese mythology. If it succeeds then it will be the first rover to explore the dark side of the moon.
Earlier efforts:
- Russian scientists in the 1990s reportedly used giant mirrors to reflect light from space in an experimental project called Znamya or Banner.
Anurag Kumar
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