Re: NROL-25 to launch FIA Radar 2

From: Bob Christy (bob@zarya.info)
Date: Mon Mar 26 2012 - 21:53:05 UTC

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    I have created a map showing how the NOTAM zones for the FIA Radar 1 
    launch 2010 September, and the upcoming NRO L-25 mission line up:
    http://www.zarya.info/Gallimaufry/FIARadar.php
    
    Bob Christy
    
    
    On 26/03/2012 21:09, Bob Christy wrote:
    > A NOTAM has been published for the impact zones of launcher components.
    > Being a different vehicle from the first FIA Radar satellite, they lie
    > at different distances from Vandenberg. The new ones (Delta 4) line up
    > very well along the same track and between the ones from the earlier
    > Atlas launch.
    >
    > The restriction period is 22:15-23:34 UTC. It fits the 22:30 launch time
    > with some spare time for unexpected delays. It hints, possibly, at a
    > launch window of about 30 minutes duration.
    >
    > Bob Christy
    >
    >
    > On 25/03/2012 07:26, Ted Molczan wrote:
    >> NROL-25 is scheduled for launch on a Delta IV Medium+ (5,2), from Vandenberg AFB, on 2012 Mar 29 at 22:30 UTC. I am
    >> confident that its payload is the second FIA Radar satellite.
    >>
    >> FIA Radar 1 (10046A / 37162) was launched on NROL-41, from VAFB, aboard an Atlas V-501. If NROL-25's ascent trajectory
    >> is identical to that of NROL-41, then the payload's orbit at the first ascending node after separation from the second
    >> stage will be:
    >>
    >>                                                          1067 X 1080 km
    >> 1 79701U          12090.05719863  .00000000  00000-0  00000-0 0    08
    >> 2 79701 122.9931 201.7813 0008524  77.8521 282.3398 13.49540846    03
    >>
    >> Since the launch vehicle is different, it is reasonable to expect small differences from the above elements.
    >>
    >> Northern hemisphere observers will have evening visibility. Southern hemisphere observers will have morning visibility.
    >>
    >> Since the performance of the Delta IV Medium+ (5,2) exceeds that of the Atlas V-501, it is reasonable to expect that
    >> NROL-25's second stage will de-orbit soon after payload separation, the same as NROL-41's Centaur.
    >>
    >> FIA Radar 1 manoeuvred over a 21 day period to adjust its orbit to an altitude of 1103 km, with the argument of perigee
    >> frozen near 90 deg.
    >>
    >> FIA Radar 2's RAAN will be nearly 180 deg east of that of FIA Radar 1, and their planes will be 114 deg apart.
    >>
    >> I expect NROL-39 and NROL-45 to complete the initial FIA Radar constellation. Both are Atlas V-501 launches from VAFB.
    >>
    >> Ted Molczan
    >>
    >>
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