Orbcomm FM3 and FM4 were launched in a retrograde orbit (108 degrees) with GFO and Celestis on a Taurus. GFO was the promary payload. Eric rkresken@esoc.esa.de on 15-10-98 10:49:02 AM To: SeeSat-L@blackadder.lmsal.com cc: (bcc: Eric Rosenberg/OCCVA) Subject: Re: An (old) curious observation Hi! I think I remember that Israel once launched a satellite into a retrograde orbit to avoid trouble with its eastern neighbours who might misunderstand a launch failure as a missile attack. Another satellite in a retrograde orbit is the spanish MINISAT 01. This one was launch with a Pegasus launcher from the Canary Islands. Maybe it was launched retrograde to avoid debris problems in Africa. Rainer