[1123581321]

Starlink reduces reflectivity with shielding once the satellites are in orbit. That’s why you only see the trails on their way to insertion.

Without the shield, you’re right that the satellites would be visible post insertion.

[ryukoposting]

They added the sun shields in mid-2020, after several hundred satellites had already been launched. Those remain visible, and make up about 8% of their fleet today.

Kinda makes me wonder what we're going to do about all these satellites in 50-60 years when there's thousands of decommissioned ones floating around.

[cruffle_duffle]

They deorbit themselves after about 5 years... so if starlink goes tits up, at worst you'll see the satellites for around 5 years. Sooner if they are intentionally deorbited.

[1123581321]

They’re easy to knock out of orbit and auto decay because of the light atmospheric drag. Shouldn’t be a problem.

Higher orbit debris could last a lot longer.

[BenjiWiebe]

Starlink satellites are visible with a 20x80 binoculars, shortly after sunset, in the west. Later they aren't visible at all.

I do a little stargazing with binoculars.