activity
20222026
most citedStarlink Generation 2 Mini Satellites: Photometric Characterization

3 citations · 7 across the 12 of their papers we have counts for

collaborators

12 papers

astro-ph.IM2026

Brightness Characterization and Modeling for Amazon Leo Satellites

Anthony Mallama, Richard E. Cole, Hui Zhi +4

The mean apparent magnitude of Amazon Leo satellites is 6.28 based on 1,938 observations. For spacecraft in their operational mode, 92% exceeded the brightness limit recommended by…

astro-ph.IM2025

Brightness Characteristics of the Qianfan Satellites and Evidence That Some Are Tumbling

Anthony Mallama, Richard E. Cole, Stephan Hellmich +3

The mean apparent magnitude of the Qianfan satellites is 5.76 +/- 0.04, while the mean of magnitudes adjusted to a distance of 1,000 km is 5.24 +/- 0.04, based on 1,161 observation…

astro-ph.IM2025

Initial Observations of the First BlueBird Spacecraft and a Model of Their Brightness

Richard E. Cole, Anthony Mallama, Scott Harrington +1

Based on a large set of visual observations, the mean apparent magnitude of BlueBird satellites is 3.44, while the mean of magnitudes adjusted to a uniform distance of 1000 km is 3…

astro-ph.IM2025★ 2 cited

Characterization of Starlink Direct-to-Cell Satellites In Brightness Mitigation Mode

Anthony Mallama, Richard E. Cole, Jay Respler +1

The mean apparent magnitude of Starlink Mini Direct-To-Cell (DTC) satellites observed in brightness mitigation mode is 5.16, while the mean of magnitudes adjusted to a uniform dist…

astro-ph.IM2024

BlueWalker 3 Redux

Anthony Mallama, Richard E. Cole, Scott Harrington +4

The BlueWalker 3 satellite is now fainter than during the first months after deployment. The greatest improvement is that the average maximum luminosity near zenith has been reduce…

astro-ph.IM2024★ 1 cited

Brightness Characterization for Starlink Direct-to-Cell Satellites

Anthony Mallama, Richard E. Cole, Scott Harrington +1

The mean apparent magnitude of Starlink Mini Direct-To-Cell (DTC) satellites is 4.62 while the mean of magnitudes adjusted to a uniform distance of 1000 km is 5.50. DTCs average 4.…

astro-ph.IM2024

The Brightness of Starlink Mini Satellites During Orbit-Raising

Anthony Mallama, Richard E. Cole, Jay Respler +3

Observations of Starlink V2 Mini satellites during orbit-raising suggest that SpaceX applies brightness mitigation when they reach a height of 357 km. The mean apparent magnitudes…

astro-ph.IM2024

Starlink Mini Satellite Brightness Distributions Across the Sky

Anthony Mallama, Richard E. Cole, Jay Respler +3

The illumination phase functions for Starlink Mini satellites are determined for times of twilight and darkness. Those functions are then evaluated to give apparent magnitudes over…

astro-ph.IM2023★ 1 cited

Assessment of Brightness Mitigation Practices for Starlink Satellites

Anthony Mallama, Andreas Hornig, Richard E. Cole +4

Photometric characteristics for all models of Starlink satellites launched to date are reviewed. The Original design that lacked brightness mitigation is the most luminous. SpaceX…

astro-ph.IM2023★ 3 cited

Starlink Generation 2 Mini Satellites: Photometric Characterization

Anthony Mallama, Richard E. Cole, Scott Harrington +4

Starlink Generation 2 Mini satellites are fainter than Gen 1 spacecraft despite their larger size. The mean of apparent magnitudes for satellites in brightness mitigation mode is 7…

astro-ph.IM2023

Roll Angle Adjustment Dims Starlink Satellites

Anthony Mallama, Jay Respler

The brightness of Starlink satellites during orbit parking and orbit raising decreased significantly in 2020 when the operator modified their orientation. The mean apparent magnitu…

astro-ph.IM2022

Visual Brightness Characteristics of Starlink Generation 1 Satellites

Anthony Mallama, Jay Respler

A large dataset of visual magnitudes for all three designs of Starlink satellites is analyzed. Brightness phase functions are derived for the Original, VisorSat and Post-VisorSat m…