The brightest a Satellite of this Standard magnitude can ever look, as an
apparent magnitude: the model at the best geometry the Satellite's own orbit
allows an Observer — the low end of its typical altitude, straight
overhead, so the range is the altitude, and half its lit side turned this
way, the phase a Standard magnitude is stated at. Nothing about where the
Observer stands can beat it.
The brightest a Satellite of this Standard magnitude can ever look, as an apparent magnitude: the model at the best geometry the Satellite's own orbit allows an Observer — the low end of its typical altitude, straight overhead, so the range is the altitude, and half its lit side turned this way, the phase a Standard magnitude is stated at. Nothing about where the Observer stands can beat it.