Re: USSPACECOM Stops Publishing 2-line Element Sets for GPS Satellites
Phillip Clark (psclark@dircon.co.uk)
Tue, 30 Mar 1999 15:41:50 +0100 (BST)
With reference to the recent classification of TLEs for "USA" and certain
other DoD satellites, data are no longer being issued for the FltSatCom
or UFO payloads, as well as the DMSPs and Navstars. The exceptions are
the satellites which were not operational when the change was made.
My understanding is that it was decided last September to withdraw these
TLEs and it is coincidental that recent political events have happened to
coincide with this change in policy. A friend who was talking to both
NASA/GSFC and DoD/USSPACECOM considers that the decision is "nuts", but
the bureaucrats in their collective wisdom have decided that this is the
route to go - and with the current political thinking in the US there is
no chance of getting the decision reversed.
One small thing to be thankful for: no other satellites are on any "hit
list" which might result in other TLEs being withdrawn.
Phillip Clark
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Phillip S Clark 25 Redfern Avenue
Molniya Space Consultancy Whitton
Compiler/Publisher, Worldwide Satellite Launches Middx TW4 5NA
U.K.
Specialist in "space archeology" - the older and more obscure the more
interesting it is !
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