Space ‘disco ball’ satellite is falling back to Earth today

The Humanity Star satellite

What goes up…

Rocket Lab

Time is up for the disco ball in space. In January, US space flight startup Rocket Lab launched a big shiny orb dubbed the “Humanity Star” into orbit. Now, seven months earlier than planned, it’s about to come crashing down.

Unlike most other satellites, it had no scientific or civil purpose. Instead, according to its website, “The Humanity Star was designed to be a temporary symbol in the night sky that encouraged everyone to look up [and] ponder humanity’s place in the universe.”

Some viewed it less favourably. At the …