Re: possible DSP satellite

From: Ed Cannon (ecannon@mail.utexas.edu)
Date: Sun Aug 07 2005 - 03:24:46 EDT

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    Steve LaLumondiere reported an object with a flash period of 
    2.5 seconds at these positions:
    
    >2005/08/06  04:16:00 UTC; RA 15:21.2  Dec -06.1
    >2005/08/07  04:12:45 UTC; RA 15:21.3  Dec -06.12
    >
    >Observing location:  33.82 N, 118.316W
    
    Thank you very much, Steve, for the reports!
    
    Kevin Fetter notes that it sounds like a DSP.  I agree.  When 
    we last looked for this one (which as seen from here would 
    begin to flash each night at about 04:00 UTC):
    
    USA 39
    1 20066U 89046A   04344.32768364 0.00000000  00000-0  00000-0 0    08
    2 20066   8.1757  50.4161 0070803 257.7770 102.2230  1.00260000    03
    
    it was no longer there.  I don't know if it was moved or just 
    set adrift.  But using the above very old elements, it is 
    predicted to be fairly near the above positions at about 05:00 
    UTC.  Orbital analysis (which I'm not qualified to do!) would 
    probably determine right away if the above positional reports 
    could possibly match the above element set (given proper 
    adjustments).  
    
    Earlier tonight I watched Superbird A (89-041A, 20040) from 
    about 3:53:30 to 3:59:37.  It's pretty far west of here now.  
    Good old Superbird!
    
    Hoping to see Discovery and ISS again later this morning, but 
    the weather is in doubt.
    
    Ed Cannon - ecannon@mail.utexas.edu - Austin, Texas, USA
    
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