NASA plans to launch an “artificial star” named Landolt into orbit around Earth by 2029 to help calibrate ground-based telescopes.

This shoebox-sized satellite, equipped with eight lasers, will orbit at 22,236 miles and mimic a real star.

In its first year, Landolt will appear to hover above the United States, although it will be too dim to see with the naked eye.

However, astronomers using personal telescopes might spot it. The $19.5 million mission has been approved by NASA for this purpose, Interesting Engineering has reported.

Landolt’s orbit will be synchronized with Earth’s rotation, making it appear fixed above the United States during its first year in space.

Equipped with eight lasers that emit light at a precisely controlled rate, Landolt’s known brightness will help scientists develop new stellar brightness catalogs.

Written by B.C. Begley