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0 pointsdoctoboggan2y ago0 comments

This is totally incorrect, what do you think you are seeing in the trains? You can easily see each individual satellite. Just after sunset you can see many individual satellites, not just starlink.

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5 comments · 1 top-level

11235813212y ago· 4 in thread

Starlink reduces reflectivity with shielding once the satellites are in orbit. That’s why you only see the trails on their way to insertion.

Without the shield, you’re right that the satellites would be visible post insertion.

ryukoposting2y ago

They added the sun shields in mid-2020, after several hundred satellites had already been launched. Those remain visible, and make up about 8% of their fleet today.

Kinda makes me wonder what we're going to do about all these satellites in 50-60 years when there's thousands of decommissioned ones floating around.

cruffle_duffle2y ago

They deorbit themselves after about 5 years... so if starlink goes tits up, at worst you'll see the satellites for around 5 years. Sooner if they are intentionally deorbited.

11235813212y ago

They’re easy to knock out of orbit and auto decay because of the light atmospheric drag. Shouldn’t be a problem.

Higher orbit debris could last a lot longer.

BenjiWiebe2y ago

Starlink satellites are visible with a 20x80 binoculars, shortly after sunset, in the west. Later they aren't visible at all.

I do a little stargazing with binoculars.

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