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Reconnaisance satellites

Cosmos 2320 is a typical Russian reconnaisance satellite. The size of MM adjustments vary between about 0.2 and 0.02, the intervals between 9 and 45 days ! This is very different from the normal operation of the EORSATs, that decrease their MM by about one percent of this amplitude over a period of 12 days, then quickly lose that decrease by atmospheric drag (or rocket impulses). The screen snapshot below shows Mean Motion values from elsets.

  
Figure 5: Mean motion for Cosmos 2320 as a function of time

Cosmos 2305 was another typical photo reconnaisance satellite. It was periodically reboosted - about once a month - to maintain its operational orbit. It was launched on 94-12-29, and commanded out of orbit on 95-12-18. The screen snapshot below shows Mean Motion values from elsets.

  
Figure 6: Mean motion for Cosmos 2305 as a function of time



Bart de Pontieu
Fri May 24 11:30:41 MET DST 1996