Starlink V1.5 / V2 Bus Surface Brightness Comparison
Taken by Ralf Vandebergh on August 10, 2026 @
The Netherlands
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Camera Used: Unavailable Unavailable
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Details:
This is a true brightness comparison between two telescopic images of the older Starlink V1.5 satellites (top row) and two telescopic images of the newer Starlink V2 mini satellites (bottom row) – in operational orbit. We see only the satellite bus, so without the solar panels. In operational orbit, the solar panels are positioned in such a way that they are practically invisible. The images were all taken in the secondary focus of a 25cm telescope, while tracking was performed entirely manually. All images were processed in one (batch)processing to obtain a 100% true brightness and detail comparison. The V2 satellites were equipped with a type of film that reflects sunlight, making a large part of the satellite bus invisible; we see, as it were, a reflection of the blackness of space. The Starlink satellites are faint objects once in operational orbit, especially the V2s. However, it turns out that it is still possible to capture their flat-plate surfaces even without an automatically tracked telescope.
Photographer's website:
https://satellite-imaging.jouwweb.nl/selected-project-samples-best-works
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