Astronomers Angry Over Launch of Highly Reflective ‘Disco Ball’ Into Space

Astronomers Angry Over Launch of Highly Reflective ‘Disco Ball’ Into Space
Rocket Lab's Electron rocket lifts off from its launch site in Mahia, on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island on May 25, 2017. Marty Melville/AFP/Getty Images
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A New Zealand space company has come under fire after secretly launching a reflective satellite that will create a flashing light visible from anywhere on earth.

Astronomers around the world have expressed anger after space exploration startup Rocket Lab sent the “Humanity Star” into orbit, a three-foot-wide sphere fitted with 65 reflective panels.

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