This Satellite Is Going To Space For Art, Not Science
  • 7 years ago
Artist Trevor Paglen plans to launch a satellite into space, but it’s not for any scientific study. His giant inflatable sculpture will orbit Earth purely as art.

Paglen's forthcoming art installation, titled Orbital Reflector, will reflect enough sunlight to be visible from the ground. The piece will launch in 2018 aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 and will be concealed inside a satellite. Once in low Earth orbit, a door on the satellite will open and the 100-foot Orbital Reflector will inflate.

Paglen says the satellite will be as bright as the stars of the Big Dipper. But just in case visibility is low, it will also be trackable via an app.
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