After wanting to build A moon that reflects the sunlight at night for street lights, China is finally building one for science.

Designed by the Chinese National Space Administration, this new research center in the shape of an artificial moon will be subject to less gravity similar to Earth’s natural satellite.

The project is part of a new space mission to the moon led by China, such as NASA or Blue Origin. It is common to want to experimentally mimic the conditions of an area we want to explore – this has already been done many times. Tuesday.

The small details – the size – will disappoint many people: this lunar double diameter measures only 60 cm and is slightly narrower than the diameter of the original model 3.474 km.

So there is not even room to bring the whole tycoon, including the suit. However, it will be enough for scientists to test some of their tools and equipment to monitor their behavior in a lunar environment.

Mini Moon for frogs

This new type of laboratory was inspired by the research of a Russian physicist, Andrei Geem, who succeeded in creating a frog float using a magnet. An experience he even gained IG-Nobel, A satirical prize that rewards extraordinary scientific discoveries.

Using a similar principle, the Chinese device uses a vacuum chamber and a strong magnetic field to recreate the weak gravity. The giant magnets placed below lift the small piece about 60 cm from the ground, which is infinite.

A revolution after the reconstruction of an environment without gravity, or with less gravity, currently requires more effort. This includes the only solution used by astronauts in training and scientists Take a free flight on a plane, All for a result that lasts only a very short moments.

To complete the illusion, the interior of this simulator, based in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, will be lined up in a lunar style landscape. Dust, rocks and dim lights are therefore in the program.