Satellite Rotating?

FISMA

Not too long ago I was observing and playing the usual "find the satellite" games.

Anyhow, I found several and tracked them across the sky for the usual minute or two. As usual, their brightness remained constant.

Anyhow, towards the end of this satellite's transit, the brightness of the satellite increased several orders of magnitude. Not full moon brightness, but enough that others around that were not observing caught a glimpse. Its brightness was more than Sirius or any planet at any time.

Has anyone ever observed this and have a possible explanation? Obviously, the satellite for some reason reflected more of the Sun's light than usual at a specific part of its route.

Is it possible that the satellite rotated or made some other maneuver to reflect light at only a particular part of its orbit?

TheUsual

Interesting, I would have thought that satellites stay facing the Earth (permanently) so that they are lined up are always in contact for GPS or telecommunications.
Maybe an older satellite that is 'space junk' and now is spinning is what you you saw.

SkepticOne

It is known as satellite flare. It happens when a reflective portion of the satellite is aligned such that it reflects the Sun directly back to the observer. The Iridium communication satellites are particularly known for this. The satellites aren't rotating but the relative positions of the satellite, sun and observer change making it a transitory phenomenon.

Prenderb

You can find out when you might see another one at the
www.heavens-above.com website. Input your position and it gives you the time and position of predicted flares nearest to you. And the ISS, when it's heading over aswell!