The Molniya 3-36 decay

From: Harro.Zimmer (Harro.Zimmer@t-online.de)
Date: Sat May 20 2000 - 07:38:40 PDT

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    Report time 14:00 UTC
    
    1989-094A (#20338) Molniya 3-36
    
    SpaceCom's FINAL REPORT - prepared May 19, 20:32 UTC - shows the decay on
                           19 May, 20:14 UTC +/- 07 minutes (56.9°S, 115.5°E)
    on a northbound pass over the Indian Ocean. If Molniya have survived this time, 
    the reentry path could have reached New South Wales (Australia).
    It was a difficult predictable object with some bad and incompatible ELSETs.
    I have discarded the last released data set and find with MPM + REENTRY the decay 
    on                     19 May, 20:12 UTC +/- 11 minutes (61.80°S, 94.90°E)
    on the same pass also over the Indian Ocean.
    A careful discussion of all 00140... ELSETs shows - in my opinion - a small 
    possibility for a medium size rupture or breakup (solar panels and/or dish 
    antennas ?) one rev earlier around the southern apex.
    
    Harro
    
    Harro.Zimmer@t-online.de
    Berlin, Germany
    
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