First of all any kind of satellite stealth technology that doesn't work 20% of the time is pretty useless so I doubt there is any kind of visual stealth going on here. Or if there is it doesn't work. >I would agree , and thats why I think the "shades " are stand-off on some type >of gimbal affair. A shade painted black would stand out nice and bright with an infrared telescope. If you have a flat shade out on an arm on a gimbal away from the satellite to bathe the satellite in shade then it would make more sense to cover it in something mirror bright to reflect the sunlight away and angle the reflected light beam away from earth and into space. In fact I would design a stealth satellite with highly reflective surfaces (like the stealth fighter) that reflect light from the sun off to space. Perhaps a semisphere with the curved part facing away from earth and covered with solar cells as needed and the inside of the semi-sphere painted black with instruments hiding in there in the shade and keep it in low earth orbit so the sunlight doesn't shine much into the "cave". - George Roberts http://gr5.org ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Locker" <john@satcom.freeserve.co.uk> To: <SeeSat-L@satobs.org> Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 6:12 AM Subject: Re: Light Curve from Satellite Trail I suppose really I am basing my specualtion on the latest "known" design http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/images/lacrosse6.jpg plus a number of other factors...but as I'm something of a novice as far as sat design is concerned...I admit we are into the realms of speculation. What we do know is that L4 and 5 , and possibly L3 can disappear. However , as illustrated by my imaging last year.....they disappear to the naked eye , but not completely.....I think Phil estimated down to mag 6-7 from mag 2. There is nothing on the above illustration that could cause such instant shadowing.The wings may be long , but I doubt they have the area to cause such a dimming. Of course the plan could be way out..................or incomplete ! The sinister patch that Ted uncovered , which is undoubtedly that of L4 , isnt just announcing another bird in orbit.I think whoever designed the patch had some knowledge of the bird and couldnt resist leaving a clue or two. http://www.collectspace.com/images/news-083100a.jpg to this end , it is possible that the mesh design either side of the "eye" is in fact indicative of the stealth cover.......almost like a nictitating membrane.Perhaps that is why an owl was chosen to represent this generation of Lacrosse craft. The Titan IV B-28 patch leaves us in no doubt that the eyes are that of an owl! > If the casing is non-reflective, it absorbs light AND heat, and if close > to the satellite, how would the satellite be cooled? > A detached panel, shading the Sun, would serve both purposes > (and it could even be the solar panel - or radar antenna) Of course the other question is , on a high elevation pass over Europe , who is it "hiding " from ? We are into the realms of science fiction here. This isn't a Star Wars /Star Trek cloaking device , but simply a mechanical shield. Thats my take ................. someone somewhere knows the truth about Lacrosse and until we can get some better images we can only speculate. Its a shame USA 193 isnt the same design because at the rate it is decaying I think by the middle of the year it will be down to about 240km and present a rather nice imaging opportunity :O)) John ----- Original Message ----- From: "Björn Gimle at ComHem" <b.gimle@comhem.se> To: <SeeSat-L@satobs.org> Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 7:43 AM Subject: Re: Light Curve from Satellite Trail > >I agree to some extent Björn , especially in the case of structures like ISS > >where we see obvious shadowing from the large solar arrays....but that > >shadowing is only noticed when we look at images taken at high > >magnification.From the ground the naked eye observer wouldnt really be aware > > I don't follow your argument here - if (a substantial) part of the satellite > is (more than usual) shadowed, the total magnitude would be reduced. >> . >> >> L5 and possibly 3 and 4 seem to have a more "on / off" ability to change >> brightness. >> >> In some reports it is muted that MISTY used some sort of inflatable device to >> cloak itself....I think that highly unlikely....but rather it used a simply >> mechanical system and so too Lacrosse . Perhaps light absorbing , non >> reflective panels which encase the outer structure when required. Of course >> if that was the case , why not leave the panels in situ all the time to stop >> the satellite reflecting at all. >> > If the casing is non-reflective, it absorbs light AND heat, and if close > to the satellite, how would the satellite be cooled? > A detached panel, shading the Sun, would serve both purposes > (and it could even be the solar panel - or radar antenna) > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: > http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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