<p>As @usethedeathstar said, MIA satellite most likely means <a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_in_action" rel="nofollow">'Missing In Action'</a>. The following lyrics from the song 'MIA satellite' seems to solidify this:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>MIA Satellite-<br>
  You've got no path in sight.<br>
  You leave me hanging in the dead of night-<br>
  In the dead of night.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Regarding the ability to identify artificial satellites, it is possible to identify some satellites. Some identification guides:</p>

<h3>Iridium</h3>

<p>Iridium satellites are usually faster than most satellites, but their tell-tale sign is that they go from dim to bright to dim as they rotate. This bright flash is known as an Iridium Flare.</p>

<h3>ISS</h3>

<p>This moves East to West and is brighter than the average satellite.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-13T23:03:42.247Z
Do you have any evidence to back this up?
HDE 226868
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-14T19:19:30.353Z
@HDE226868 The MIA satellite bit or the identification?
Beta Decay
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-15T00:16:20.817Z
The MIA satellite bit. I thought you were fine with the identification.
HDE 226868
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-13T19:03:34.283Z
2014-10-15T06:04:17.907Z
2014-10-15T06:04:17.907Z
Beta Decay
<p>I came across this sentence in a magazine:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>We sit outside the Lorne Community Hall, Victoria, watching the MIA satellite overhead.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>I wonder if the author is talking about an artificial satellite. Can one recognize an artificial satellite with naked eyes?</p>

<p>Thanks for response.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-12T13:49:10.213Z
Could you add a citation so we can check out the article?
HDE 226868
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-12T14:08:29.427Z
All other parts of the article have to do with the main topic- the boots that accompanied the author in his travel to many places.
user2598
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-12T17:20:13.450Z
Context can be everything. Was he in Australia?
HDE 226868
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-12T21:12:13.960Z
@Omen Just what I thought.
HDE 226868
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-13T07:15:04.273Z
i would guess "missing in action" (like in the military), but if you are seeing it overhead, that doesnt make sense
usethedeathstar
<satellite>
what is a MIA satellite
user2598
# what is a MIA satellite

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-10-12)

I came across this sentence in a magazine:

> We sit outside the Lorne Community Hall, Victoria, watching the MIA satellite overhead.

I wonder if the author is talking about an artificial satellite. Can one recognize an artificial satellite with naked eyes?

Thanks for response.

**Tags:** satellite

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Could you add a citation so we can check out the article?  
> **username_0**: All other parts of the article have to do with the main topic- the boots that accompanied the author in his travel to many places.  
> **username_1**: Context can be everything. Was he in Australia?  
> **username_1**: @Omen Just what I thought.  
> **username_2**: i would guess "missing in action" (like in the military), but if you are seeing it overhead, that doesnt make sense  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2014-10-13. Score: 2

As @username_2 said, MIA satellite most likely means ['Missing In Action'](http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_in_action). The following lyrics from the song 'MIA satellite' seems to solidify this:

> MIA Satellite-  
> You've got no path in sight.  
> You leave me hanging in the dead of night-  
> In the dead of night.

Regarding the ability to identify artificial satellites, it is possible to identify some satellites. Some identification guides:

### Iridium

Iridium satellites are usually faster than most satellites, but their tell-tale sign is that they go from dim to bright to dim as they rotate. This bright flash is known as an Iridium Flare.

### ISS

This moves East to West and is brighter than the average satellite.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Do you have any evidence to back this up?  
> **username_3**: @HDE226868 The MIA satellite bit or the identification?  
> **username_1**: The MIA satellite bit. I thought you were fine with the identification.  

---

