HUMANITY STAR

HUMANITY STAR is no longer on orbit

NORAD ID: 43168

Int'l Code: 2018-010F

Launch date: January 21, 2018
Source: New Zealand (NZ)
Launch site: Rocket Lab Launch Complex (RLLC)
Decay date: 2018-03-22

HUMANITY STAR is a geodesic sphere is made from carbon fibre with 65 highly reflective panels. The Humanity Star sphere spins rapidly, reflecting the sun's light back to Earth. Essentially it creates a similar effect as a disco ball, creating the appearance of a bright flashing shooting star. The concept of the Humanity Star was in part inspired by the Iridium flare phenomenon. Widely considered to be the brightest man-made object in the night sky, Iridium flares are caused by a flat metallic plane on Iridium satellites briefly reflecting the sun. The Humanity Star builds on this concept by creating many reflective surfaces to capture and reflect more of the sun’s light.