You may have to squint a little.
The image, of the IGS 1B and Lacrosse 4 satellites moving across the night sky, was taken by Macro Langbroek.
The SEESAT list has a fascinating discussion about the shape and configuration of the Lacrosse 5 satellite, which periodically performs a “disappearance trick.”
Most observers seem to think the trick is a quirk of a design feature unrelatd to stealth, such as the placement of solar panels.
Other satellites, of course, are intended to be stealthy. FOW Allen Thomson has created A Stealth Satellite Sourcebook that is quite the place to start on the subject.
Allen Thomson | August 4, 2006
An interesting question to ask—it has a significant answer—is, “Why are those streaks labeled IGS 1B and Lacrosse 4?”
Rob H | August 8, 2006
Why are those streaks labelled IGS 1B and Lacrosse 4?