Ed Cannon discovers another geosync flashing satellite

From: Mike McCants (mikem@fc.net)
Date: Sun Feb 27 2000 - 09:07:48 PST

  • Next message: Tony Beresford: "Feb 27 observ."

    Last night from BCRC, Ed Cannon saw 3 flashes that appeared to
    be from a previously unknown geosync flashing satellite.
    
    I saw only the third flash with my unaided eyes.  I would guess
    it was about third magnitude.  I was unable to point my telescope
    in the proper direction to pick it up and neither of us saw any
    subsequent flashes.
    
    The flash period seemed to be about 80 seconds.
    The flashes were observed from about 01:59 to 02:03 Feb 27 UT
    from BCRC.  (30.3N, 97.9W).
    
    Ed believes the position was near the following two objects:
    
    Galaxy 7
    1 22205U 92072A   00051.66779197 -.00000198  00000-0  00000+0 0  1450 
    2 22205   0.0330 279.0135 0002612  74.0053 306.0758  1.00269692 21069 
    Nimiq 1
    1 25740U 99027A   00053.21904595 -.00000196 +00000-0 +00000-0 0 01144 
    2 25740 000.0267 252.7610 0002157 085.5920 160.7199 01.00269455002830 
    
    These objects have near-zero inclination and are probably still
    in service.
    
    The following two objects are more likely candidates (IMO):
    
    Brazilsat 2
    1 16650U 86026B   00056.32330693 -.00000185  00000-0  10000-3 0  5692 
    2 16650   2.7402  80.4210 0002410 256.7609 201.6660  1.00270774 30891 
    INSAT 2D
    1 24820U 97027B   00055.20250160 -.00000182 +00000-0 +00000-0 0 02565 
    2 24820 001.8720 087.2139 0346369 200.7623 158.3004 01.04791492010433 
    
    Obviously Brazilsat 2 was launched in 1986 and it is probably no
    longer in service.  The Insat 2D is in an eccentric orbit and lower
    than geosync height.  It was moved to this orbit at least 2 years ago.
    
    Mike McCants
    
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