Re: NOSS (was:ABRIXAS and Apr. 23-24 obs)
Björn Gimle (b_gimle@algonet.se)
Tue, 4 May 1999 07:43:42 +0200
Från: <LWojack@aol.com>
> Could someone explain what the NOSS 2-2 trio is? Is it a satellite that
> broke up into three pieces?
>
All NOSS satellites were launched three at a time (+some more objects)
NOSS 2- are the (three) second-generation, larger, triplets.
They are maintained at about 100 km distances within one trio, in a
triangular shape, for interferometric signal surveillance.
The triangle has one leader, one trailer, and one "outlier",
though the outlier by the laws of orbital motion must vary its
position considerably during an orbit.
The triangle is usually visible within one 7*50 binocular field, but
most of the first-generation (without 2-) have spread out along the
orbits. They are sometimes visible to the naked eye, and occasionally
flare to mag.+0 or so. It has been rumoured they use solar radiation
pressure to adjust their positions.
Their elset files are of course not available through official channels.
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