Has anyone observing GEO satellites tried to see LES-8 or LES-9 (1976-023A and B, 08746 and 08747)? If not, it might be an interesting exercise, because... I just came across the following, which is found on p.30 of "Semi Annual History of the Directorate of Space, Period of 1 January 1971 - 30 June 1971" The paragraph, originally classified SECRET, was declassified on 10 March 1996. I assume that the Directorate of Space was a precursor of Space Command, but am currently trying to verify that. "The MIT Lincoln Laboratory is involved in a program to demonstrate the technology necessary to deploy a highly survivable satellite communication system for command and control of the SIOP forces. The effort is based upon the use of two satellites (LES-8 and LES-9) carefully designed (both electronically and physically) so that detection of the satellite presence is extremely difficult. The satellites would use satellite-to-satellite communications links and would permit two communications between aircraft and surface forces on a global basis. The anticipated launch of LES-8/9 is in September 1974." So are the things visible in a telescope? ----------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe from SeeSat-L by sending a message with 'unsubscribe' in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@lists.satellite.eu.org http://www2.satellite.eu.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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