China’s artificial moon satellites could replace streetlamps, saving energy and night fighting advantage to PLA

China is planning to launch its own ‘artificial moon’ by 2020 to replace streetlamps and lower electricity costs in urban areas, state media reported. The Tian Fu New Area Science Society plans to launch the so-called “illumination satellite” would orbit above the Chinese city of Chengdu and glow in conjunction with the actual moon, but shine eight times brighter. At that intensity, this satellite won’t brighten the entire sky, but it should give off what one Harbin Institute of Technology scientist described as a “dusk-like” glow. It would reflect the sun’s light at night, and supplement street lighting in Chengdu, which has a population of 1.6 million.