Year: 2023
Type: preprint
Abstract: The brightness of Starlink satellites during orbit parking and orbit raising decreased significantly in 2020 when the operator modified their orientation. The mean apparent magnitude before the change was 3.90 +/- 0.18, while afterward it was 5.69 +/- 0.06. When magnitudes are adjusted to a standard distance of 1,000 km the means are 4.86 +/- 0.16 and 7.31 +/- 0.05. The difference at the standard distance indicates that spacecraft with adjusted roll angles are 90% fainter on average than the earlier ones.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Authors: Mallama, Anthony, Respler, Jay
Language: English
Subfield: Aerospace Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4323076554