There is further evidence that many fragments have appeared in orbit due to the disintegration of 99-57C #25942. The evidence is found in the already published elements for 99-57D #26112 (see below). This seems to be the first object from the break-up to have its orbit published. It appears to have been ejected 'backwards', that is in a direction opposite to its velocity vector, thus reducing its perigee height to around 260 km. Low perigee meant that it experienced very high atmospheric drag, as seen in the orbit given below. This drag has rapidly reduced apogee height from the original 730 km or so to 568 km. by day 00085.16161. Note also that the epoch revolution is given as 158. Making about 15 revs/day, it would take about 10.5 days to reach rev# 158. So the indications are that 99-57D appeared and was tracked from about day 00074.7 UNK 568 x 259 km 1 26112U 99057D 00085.16161085 .02563673 23680-2 14609-1 0 22 2 26112 98.5438 163.6717 0227351 340.5234 18.7433 15.51033272 1582 Along with the many sightings reported to Seesat, of several objects, this announced object would lead me to expect that dozens/scores of further fragments will have their orbits made available, hopefully in the near future. ----------------------------------------------------------------- best wishes Russell Eberst @ North: 55 degrees, 56 minutes, 55 seconds: West: 3 degrees, 8 minutes, 18 seconds: 43metres (150 feet) above sea-level. 177519 Observations ----------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe from SeeSat-L by sending a message with 'unsubscribe' in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@lists.satellite.eu.org http://www2.satellite.eu.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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