APPENDIX TIME-VARYING BRIGHTNESS OF THE SOLAR COLLECTING ARRAY ASSUMPTIONS The analysis of time-varying brightness is based on the approximation of the diffuse reflecting character of a solar collecting array as a Lambertian surface, which implies that the diffuse brightness varies in proportion to the projected area of the object as seen by the observer. The system that will be analyzed is a 59-satellite system (instead of 60, for calculational convenience) in geosynchronous orbit, the satellites spaced 1° apart along the celestial equator with the central satellite above longitude 100°. The collecting arrays are assumed to be oriented perpendicular to the orbital plane. This orientation results in an 8% variation in effective satellite illumination over a year. This effect is small compared to the errors in the assumed satellite parameters and has been neglected. Similarly, the effect on apparent satellite luminosity of the varying distance to the individual satellites is small and has also been neglected. LATITUDINAL EFFECTS The changes in the apparent area of the satellite as a result of the equivalent of rotations about an axis parallel to the equator arise simply from the latitude of the observing station. The effect will be
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