logoalt Hacker News

rcpttoday at 6:18 PM2 repliesview on HN

Why are they bright? Do they have big lights flashing or is it reflection


Replies

pwgtoday at 7:23 PM

Likely because, in space, reflective items don't heat up as much from sunlight as would a dark, energy absorbing, material. Shedding heat in space is a difficult enough endeavor already without also painting your satellite black so it reflects less light (and thereby absorbs more heat).

0-_-0today at 6:22 PM

And what are they reflecting when they are in Earth's shadow?

show 2 replies