4 ms·

A test and demo of capabilities such that Russians and Chinese notice is the most plausible explanation I'd guess. Not sure if they cared if amateurs noticed or

• nabla9 9y ago
  It's impossible to hide anything in leo from Russians or Chinese. They have their own radar and telescope surveillance networks. They always notice.
  • kryptiskt 9y ago
    Stealth satellites aren't impossible given that all the tech has already been developed for Earthbound use, and unlike aircraft you only have to make the Earth-facing side stealthy.
    • Teever 9y ago
      How do you make the stealth satellite not block star light as it passive in front of them from the perspective of a ground based observer?
    • planteen 9y ago
      What about the solar arrays? You are always going to be reflecting sunlight somewhere.