Re: How to calculate an IRIDIUM flare.

Jeff Hunt (jhunt@radix.net)
Fri, 10 Oct 97 15:19:45

Hello All,

My understanding (from a Lead Mechanical Eng. for the MMAs) is that the MMAs 
are treated with sliver-coated teflon for thermal control and therefore make 
perfect mirrors.  I will forward the message (although the specifics do not 
go any further into detail) from this individual when I receive his 
permission. So definitely,these MMAs are much more highly reflective, 
certainly *not* larger than most arrays in general.

Jeff Hunt <jhunt@radix.net>
 
--- On Fri, 10 Oct 1997 11:00:31 -0700  Leigh Palmer <palmer@sfu.ca> wrote:


>My biggest question, however, is why are these Iridium flares so very
>much brighter than flares we all see occasionally on satellites with
>large solar panels? Are these antennae much larger than most solar panels?
>Are they much more highly reflective than most solar panels?