Originally Posted by
tartare
The astronomy problem can be solved relatively simply.
Cover `em in
Vantablack
Being done already with certain types of less well-publicised satellites... if you catch my drift.
That will do wonders for the thermal properties of the satellite, especially in LEO. Closing with, and spray painting a rival's satellite with black paint has been proposed as a way of destroying it without filling the orbit with debris. Basically roast it to death.