A Russian spacecraft will put a huge "umbrella" into orbit this month, in an experiment aiming to turn night into day by reflecting the sun's rays down to earth.


The umbrella would act as a solar reflector and light cities or large construction sites in the north of Russia during winter. The "spokes" are lined with a 5-micrometer-thick plastic film, laminated with reflective aluminum.


If the experiment is successful, people in Siberia, who live in darkness for most of the arctic winters, could soon enjoy sunlight all year round. "This is the first time anything like this has been ever be tested", said Sergei Gromov, advisor to the director of information at NPO Engergia, a firm which built the reflector. "We are still experimenting, but are optimistic".


The space mirrors, if they work, could also be used to light disaster areas, like the site of the recent plane crash in the Netherlands. Relief efforts there were slowed because the accident occurred at


night and rescuers were unable to find the victims in the darkness.


On Oct. 28, the Progress spacecraft will take off from Baikonur, Kazakhstan to the Mir space station where it will unload supplies, Gromov said. After two weeks, on its way home, Progress will unfold the 20-meter-wide znamiya, or flag, which is wrapped around the craft like a folded umbrella.


Twelve minutes after leaving Mir, at a distance of 160 meters from the station, the craft will start to spin at a rate of 570 degrees a second so that centrifugal force unfolds the reflector.


Several minutes later, at a distance of 320 meters from Mir, the reflector will be unfolded and the spinning rate reduced to 84 degrees a second, which has been estimated as enough to keep the reflector stable. NPO Engergia officials say they have no estimate of how much the project costs, due to ruble fluctuations. The idea was devised by Parasnaya Regata, which encompasses several scientific and space research institutes and private companies.