Remember the disco-shaped satellite that was launched in late January 2018?
The satellite named The Humanity Star, a reflective satellite launched by Rocket Lab will return to Earth. This was conveyed by Peter Beck, founder of Rocket Lab.
In the coming days, the Humanity star will begin its final landing to the earth's atmosphere where it will burn as it reentered (to earth), leaving no trace.
Satellites that resemble the giant disco ball were launched without a mission or special function. According to Beck, the satellite was launched to encourage people to think a little differently about their lives and actions that are important to humanity.
Humanity Star is a satellite that is launched just as a spectacle. This is what made some astronomers growl.
However, the satellites are made of carbon fiber and have reflective panels that reflect sunlight back to Earth.
As it passes through the night sky, it rotates rapidly and creates a blink of light. Similar to a disco ball, is not it?
Unfortunately, the existence of this satellite in space is quite short. According to the Humanity Star tracker, the object loses its height.
Based on the rate of decline, this object will reenter the Earth's atmosphere today. This estimate is presented by Richard Easther, an astronomer at Auckland University.
Easther said the satellite's return is likely due to incorrect modeling.
I suspect that this prediction is based on a plain-sized satellite, and that the base object is that the balloon will sense more obstacles than the boasa satellite sent, resembling a piece of metal.
Despite returning to Earth soon, Beck is optimistic his goal of launching Humanity Star can be fulfilled. He meant the launch as an exercise to encourage people to think deeper about their place in the cosmos.
My hope is to encourage people to linger over the stars and reflect on our place in the universe.
While Humanity Star is a short moment in human history, I hope the conversations and ideas that are pioneered around the world will continue to be explored.
In response to Beck's successful launch of this unique satellite, Easther calls this a success. Especially considering Rocket Lab is a company in New Zealand with a small non-military power.