>From: bjorn@tt-tech.se >Date: Mon, 19 Feb 1996 11:39:11 +0100 >To: seesat-l@iris01.plasma.mpe-garching.mpg.de >Subject: FSW-1 decay >The actual decay is almost linear since Aug.-95, with >superimposed oscillations, with its maximum decay rates >when perigee is near the equator ( around Jul.26, Nov.04 >and Feb.04). If this were to continue, FSW should survive >until end of April ! There is a surprising coincidence of Bjoern's dates (of perigee near the equator) with the dates given by Desmond King-Hele (in his book "Observing Earth Satellites") for the semi-annual variations in density during the course of the year (near 250 km during the years 1972-75, after removal of day-to-night and solar activity effects). Bjoern King-Hele Jul 26 Jul 21 (Minimum) Nov 04 Nov 05 (Maximum) Feb 04 Jan 24 (Minimum) Apr 05 (Maximum) The density of the atmosphere (near 250 km) is rising in Feb/Mar, so one would expect an early (March) decay! Rainer Kracht 1996 Feb 19 0412188960-0001@t-online.de R.Kracht@t-online.de +9.6626E, +53.7695N, 9m