Orbcomm Constellation Status Report (98-01)
Larry Van Horn (steditor@grove.net)
Thu, 15 Jan 1998 09:34:43 -0500
There has been a bunch of confusion since the December 23 launch of the
eight Orbcomm comsats. We have had various names, designators and
frequencies posted to muddy the waters even more. I finally got an accurate
picture of there current constellation status last night from Orbcomm and as
a result can publish this first Orbcomm constellation status report. I have
also verified most of this information via radio monitoring of the downlinks
(a tough job since these birds are still relatively close together).
Orbcomm Constellation Status Report
January 15, 1998 (98-01)
Intl
Desig Cat No. Nomenclature
1995-17A 23545 Orbcomm FM 1 (OSC 1) 137.7075 MHz
1995-17B 23546 Orbcomm FM 2 (OSC 2) 137.6075 MHz
1997-84A 25112 Orbcomm FM 8 (A4) 137.460 MHz
1997-84B 25113 Orbcomm FM 10 (A6) 137.7375 MHz
1997-84C 25114 Orbcomm FM 11 (A7) 137.800 MHz
1997-84D 25115 Orbcomm FM 12 (A8) 137.2875 MHz
1997-84E 25116 Orbcomm FM 9 (A5) 137.3125 MHz (was on 137.6875 for three days)
1997-84F 25117 Orbcomm FM 5 (A1) 137.200 MHz
1997-84G 25118 Orbcomm FM 6 (A2) 137.225 MHz
1997-84H 25119 Orbcomm FM 7 (A3) 137.435 MHz
All of the satellite downlinks above are continuous and high power using
SDPSK modulation at 4800 bps. Orbcomm Common Downlink Frequencies: 137.560
MHz (Gateway downlinks-low power OQPSK at 57.6 kbps TDMA) and 400.100 MHz
satellite tracking beacons.
Additional notes from the December 23 launch:
1997-84J 25120 Pegasus Debris
1997-84K 25121 HAPS Hydrazine 4th Stage
Keplerian Elements (courtesy of Celestial BBS on the Internet-Dr. TS Kelso)
OSC 1 (Orbcomm FM 1)
1 23545U 95017A 98011.82257708 .00000436 00000-0 13993-3 0 2780
2 23545 69.9708 278.6563 0009874 107.4096 252.8116 14.45690605146558
OSC 2 (Orbcomm FM 2)
1 23546U 95017B 98011.78544698 .00000372 00000-0 12188-3 0 3182
2 23546 69.9788 279.1598 0008847 96.5449 263.6684 14.45671277146554
Orbcomm FM 08
1 25112U 97084A 98 6.40542186 .00000585 00000-0 26093-3 0 130
2 25112 45.0182 115.6160 0007115 295.8376 64.2194 14.22180383 1938
Orbcomm FM 10
1 25113U 97084B 98013.22164608 -.00000270 00000-0 -59942-4 0 142
2 25113 45.0239 84.1461 0006606 325.8996 34.1421 14.21952629 2908
Orbcomm FM 11
1 25114U 97084C 98011.67693064 .00000406 00000-0 24417-3 0 162
2 25114 45.0214 91.2880 0006649 329.2838 30.7614 14.21888271 2688
Orbcomm FM 12
1 25115U 97084D 98014.20785371 -.00000270 00000-0 -59942-4 0 172
2 25115 45.0232 79.6220 0005941 340.8471 19.2160 14.21783388 3045
Orbcomm FM 09
1 25116U 97084E 98014.20797838 -.00000115 00000-0 10000-4 0 139
2 25116 45.0267 79.6315 0004723 325.8805 34.1733 14.21712455 3049
Orbcomm FM 05
1 25117U 97084F 98011.40515349 -.00009733 00000-0 -43835-2 0 129
2 25117 45.0180 92.6559 0006516 346.3962 15.7708 14.21155959 2645
Orbcomm FM 06
1 25118U 97084G 98011.61462010 -.00009748 00000-0 -43835-2 0 125
2 25118 45.0217 91.6806 0004519 13.0211 347.0774 14.21240676 2675
Orbcomm FM 07
1 25119U 97084H 98 6.41244524 .00000500 00000-0 22674-3 0 96
2 25119 45.0185 115.6553 0005283 318.0659 42.0240 14.21342831 1933
I would like to thank Wende Cover (Orbcomm media relations), Bob Vence
(Orbcomm Engineering), Eric Rosenberg (Orbcomm engineering), and JO1 Karalis
(USSPACECOM) for their help in getting this together and straightening out
the mess.
Good Hunting,
Larry Van Horn
Managing Editor
Satellite Times magazine
* * * * * *
Satellite Times Magazine - We cover space from LEO to GEO and beyond.
ST Home Page: http://www.grove.net/hmpgst.html
Telephone: 704-837-9200; Fax: 704-837-2216, Toll Free 800-438-8155
Brasstown, NC USA: 35 deg 2'46.3"N, 83 deg 56'28"W