ISS Visibility If Painted Black?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the visibility of the International Space Station to the naked eye if it was painted black. Suggestions are made for using anti-reflective coatings or a carbon nanotube coating to reduce reflectivity and potentially make the station less visible. However, it is noted that due to the rapid movement of the station, it is unlikely that it would be noticeable even with these coatings.
  • #1
Quantula
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Hey All,

Would the International Space Station be visible to the naked eye if it was painted black?

Thanks for any replies!
 
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  • #2
Thanks for the post! Sorry you aren't generating responses at the moment. Do you have any further information, come to any new conclusions or is it possible to reword the post?
 
  • #3
Assuming it was a very (rough) matte surface paint I suppose it wouldn't be visible, but direct sunlight up there is concentrated. The rougher the surface, light scatters in more directions, thus making the Fresnel effect (stronger reflection at angles) much less noticeable. Interesting question by the way! (:
 
  • #4
Thanks for the reply! I’ll have to research anti-reflective coatings. Maybe the stuff they use on the B-2 Stealth Bomber would be sufficient to cut any noticeable reflectivity.

If mass production was feasible, one could cover the station in this carbon nanotube coating (http://www.nasa.gov/topics/technology/features/super-black-material.html)! You might be able to see it pass in front of the moon, but it would happen so quickly I doubt it would be noticeable.
 
  • #5
Quantula said:
Thanks for the reply! I’ll have to research anti-reflective coatings. Maybe the stuff they use on the B-2 Stealth Bomber would be sufficient to cut any noticeable reflectivity.

If mass production was feasible, one could cover the station in this carbon nanotube coating (http://www.nasa.gov/topics/technology/features/super-black-material.html)! You might be able to see it pass in front of the moon, but it would happen so quickly I doubt it would be noticeable.
No problem Quantula! Interesting article, it appears light is scattered inside and the micro tubes pick up relatively the same reflection, impressive.
 

Related to ISS Visibility If Painted Black?

1. How does painting the ISS black affect its visibility?

Painting the ISS black would actually make it less visible to the naked eye. This is because black absorbs most of the light that hits it, making it blend in with the night sky. The ISS is currently painted white to reflect the sun's light and make it easier to spot in the sky.

2. What materials would be used to paint the ISS black?

Painting the ISS black would require a special type of paint that can withstand the extreme temperatures and harsh conditions of space. It would also need to be non-reflective to absorb light instead of reflecting it. Currently, there are no plans to paint the ISS black.

3. Would painting the ISS black affect its temperature?

Yes, painting the ISS black would significantly affect its temperature. Black absorbs more heat than white, so the ISS would absorb more sunlight and become warmer. This could potentially cause damage to the structure and equipment on board.

4. Would painting the ISS black affect its scientific experiments?

Possibly. Some experiments on the ISS require specific lighting conditions, so painting it black could interfere with those experiments. Additionally, the change in temperature could also affect the results of certain experiments. Any changes to the ISS would need to be thoroughly studied and tested before implementation.

5. What are the potential benefits of painting the ISS black?

The main potential benefit of painting the ISS black would be to reduce its visibility to potential threats or debris in space. This could potentially protect the ISS and its crew from collisions. However, there are currently other methods in place to track and avoid space debris, so painting the ISS black may not be necessary.

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