Tech Insider
Illustration of Earth as seen far from space with stars in the background
NASA aims to launch a mini satellite the size of a bread box that could become one of the most important astronomical tools by the end of this decade.

RomoloTavani/Getty Images

  • NASA approved the $19.5 million Landolt Space Mission to send an artificial star into Earth's orbit.
  • It will be the first astronomical tool of its kind that could revolutionize the way we study space.
  • The mission could help with studying exoplanets and the universe's expansion, among other areas.

Astronomers typically deal with the very, very large — big telescopes, giant galaxies, and massive exploding stars.

Tags
Science, NASA, astronomy, dark-energy, Exoplanets
Source
NASA is putting an 'artificial star' in orbit around Earth