MUOS 1: pre-launch estimated orbital elements

From: Ted Molczan (ssl3molcz@rogers.com)
Date: Thu Feb 16 2012 - 14:37:45 UTC

  • Next message: satrack@libero.it: "R: MUOS 1: pre-launch estimated orbital elements"

    MUOS 1 is scheduled for launch today from CCAFS, on an Atlas V-551. The launch window is from 2012 Feb 16 22:46 to 23:30
    UTC.
    
    Information on the launch is available here:
    
    http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av030/status.html
    
    The following *rough* TLEs are based on launch at window-open.
    
    MECO 1                                                   167 X 624 km
    1 79601U          12047.95718750  .00000000  00000-0  00000-0 0    02
    2 79601  28.0000 308.8000 0337670 130.0000   3.3000 15.58830000    00
    
    MECO 2                                                 193 X 34447 km
    1 79602U          12047.96724537  .00000000  00000-0  00000-0 0    04
    2 79602  26.0000 311.2000 7227302 179.9293   1.5500  2.38040000    02
    
    MECO 3                                                3463 X 35786 km
    1 79603U          12048.07203934  .00000000  00000-0  00000-0 0    01
    2 79603  19.0000 326.7000 6215271 179.0000  74.6500  2.07084000    09
    
    Spacecraft separation is planned to occur at T+3:01:23. Soon afterward, the Centaur will conduct a Collision and
    Contamination Avoidance Maneuver (CCAM), followed by a blow-down of remaining Centaur propellants. The typical Centaur
    end of mission occurs 4400 s after spacecraft separation.
    
    I have not evaluated visibility windows, but based on a quick look, it appears that the CCAM and blow-down will occur
    within range of Western Australia, but well after sunrise. Prospective observers should use the MECO 3 TLE to evaluate
    visibility.
    
    Eventually, the payload will enter an inclined GEO orbit in one of the existing UFO slots.
    
    Ted Molczan
    
    
    _______________________________________________
    Seesat-l mailing list
    http://mailman.satobs.org/mailman/listinfo/seesat-l
    



    This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Thu Feb 16 2012 - 14:39:03 UTC