Office of the Secretary of Defense: 027_Satellite_Flaring_Paper

All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO)
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These very bright, short lived flashes of light are called “satellite flares” or “satellite glint.” The
design, launch, and operation of SpaceX Starlink mega-constellations has led to a significant
increase in the sighting of satellite flares, dubbed “Starlink flares,” noted by scientists and non-
scientists alike.
Figure 3: Illustration of (a) diffuse reflection of sunlight from a satellite and (b) specular
reflection of sunlight from a satellite as viewed by an observer on the surface of the Earth.
Satellite Flares and Satellite Trains
Figure 4 shows a Starlink satellite in its operational configuration. Starlink satellites’ unique design
and orientation make them susceptible to both diffuse and specular reflection, which causes their
high visibility in the night sky. There are two key components to most satellites: (i) the solar panel,
and (ii) the satellite bus. The solar panel provides a power source for the satellite bus. The bus is
the primary body of the satellite that contains the electronics and systems to perform its designated
mission. The Starlink bus has multiple mirrored panels and flat antenna arrays on the bottom side
of the bus that faces the Earth in its operational configuration. Dependent on the generation of the
Starlink satellite, the reverse side of the large solar panel can be a very efficient diffuse reflector,
while the satellite bus is a very efficient specular reflector [3].
The phenomenon of satellite flaring is not new. This was well documented in the late 1990s and
early 2000s after the launch of the Iridium satellite constellation [4]. However, satellite trains, or
“Starlink trains,” are relatively new and result from the launch process SpaceX uses, which deploys027Page determined to be Unclassified
Reviewed by Chief of Staff, AARO
IAW FY24 NDAA, Section 1841(a)(1)(C)
Date: 2/14/2025