NASA is reportedly operating a 'Artificial Star' satellite to help astronomers study the Cosmos.

By the end of the decade, NASA intends to launch a new project called the Landolt Space project, which will put a satellite that acts similarly to an artificial star. The mission's principal purpose is to increase the precision of ground-based telescopes, which will help us better comprehend the cosmos. The satellite will launch in early 2029 and will be around the size of a loaf of bread. The lab will be equipped with eight lasers that can produce light ranging from stars to supernovae.

. This satellite will serve as a new calibration method for astronomers to fine-tune telescopes and other instruments in observatories. This will allow them to make more precise measurements of actual celestial objects.

The artificial star satellite will be located 35,785 kilometres above Earth. This distance will let it to maintain a geosynchronous orbit, which will seem motionless when viewed from Earth. According to a media post from George Mason University, the mission's main investigator, Peter Plavchan, stated that the distance is meant to make the satellite seem like a true star. Furthermore, the geosynchronous placement will remain above the United States for the first year, allowing for improved observation by NASA and other independent observatories in the nation.

The artificial star will be imperceptible to the human eye, but it will be clearly visible to standard telescopes that employ digital cameras to take photos. If implemented, such a configuration might allow astronomers to more precisely track changes in star brightness and other properties. The project, named for Arlo Landolt, a fundamental contributor to the development of star brightness catalogues, was authorised by NASA in February and made public on June 10. According to the business, the endeavour will require 30 workers and cost around $19,500,000 (roughly Rs. 162.8 crore).