A Japanese startup developing the “shooting stars on demand” theme will be ready to deliver the first artificial meteor shower in the world to Hiroshima in early 2020. ALE is in the final stages of developing two microsatellites that will release small balls. They glow brightly when they enter the atmosphere, simulating a meteor shower.
The first satellite starts on a rocket launched by a Japanese agency in March 2019. The second will be sent in the middle of 2019 on a private rocket. Each satellite can carry 400 tiny balls, the chemical formula of which is carefully protected. When ejected, they will glow. The company reports that 400 balls will be enough for 20-30 events, and the satellites themselves will be able to stay in space for about 2 years.
The company is also exploring the possibility of using non-performing satellites in space to create large-scale “shooting stars”. Two ALE satellites will begin to orbit the Earth by February 2020, preparing for the world's first supply of artificial shooting stars in the spring of 2020 over the Japanese city of Hiroshima. It is reported that the ingredients in the balls allow you to change colors and offer different patterns. Each “star” is expected to shine for a few seconds until it burns completely. They will fall low and are not dangerous. The company chose Hiroshima for the first show because of the good weather, landscapes and cultural values.
The price of artificial meteorite flow has not been disclosed. Experts believe that it can not be cheap, because the company has spent about $ 20 million on the development, production, launch and operation of two satellites.
