Delta/Globalstar Burn Alert for SW USA

Ron Lee (ronlee@pcisys.net)
Wed, 07 Jul 1999 17:54:54 -0600

Somehow I missed a possible burn sighting possibility for the SW USA
Assuming an on time launch at 9:17:37 UT on 8 Jul, there is another
second stage burn at 11:05:57 UT (6500 seconds after launch).  It lasts
for 5 seconds.  The satellites will be sunlit at that time which should
allow an observer to find the satellites/rocket prior to the burn.

I am assuming that the second stage is brighter than the individual
Globalstars.  Corrections welcome.  I am also assuming that prior to
this burn that the satellites and second stage will be in RELATIVE
close proximity.  This burn will lower the second stage's perigee by
about 360 km.  Another burn soon after drops the perigee to around 400 km.
 
Prelaunch elsets provided below for your convenience.

Delta/Globalstar, 8 Jul 99, 9:17:37 UT
1 99999P 99 0XX A 99189.43472222  .00005000  00000-0  00000-0 0    14
2 99999  51.9830 322.0740 0003960 132.7090 135.6330 12.74000000    17
Delta/Globalstar, 8 Jul 99, 12:17:37 UT
1 99999P 99 0XX A 99189.55972222  .00005000  00000-0  00000-0 0    12
2 99999  51.9830   7.1973 0003960 132.7090 135.6330 12.74000000    16

Ron Lee