Adding Russell Eberst's observations of Dec 11 to the analysis, makes clear that a single impulse raised the object's orbit, not a continuous thrust, so I have discarded my epoch 03343.77469956 elset, which has the -.00002230 rev/d decay term. This is my latest accurate result: Observation arc 2003 Dec 07.70 - 11.73 UTC: NOSS 3-2 r 10.1 3.0 0.0 3.7 v 1 71003U 03054C 03345.71425796 .00000058 00000-0 10000-3 0 09 2 71003 63.6860 279.7545 0142200 182.8456 177.1777 13.40524391 03 WRMS residuals = 0.013 deg This is the epoch 03343.77 elset that I should have released: Observation arc 2003 Dec 07.77 - 09.79 UTC: 1 71003U 03054C 03343.77468932 .00000058 00000-0 10000-3 0 02 2 71003 63.6753 284.6222 0145153 182.2941 177.7437 13.40523322 06 WRMS residuals = 0.014 deg Regarding the issue of assigning final identities to the objects, the emerging consensus appears to be to adhere as closely as possible to USSTRATCOM's identities, despite their obvious shortcomings. Drawing upon comments received via SeeSat-L, Dsat and personal e-mail, I count three favouring that approach, and one opposed. I have no problem supporting the majority in this case, so that would make it four in favour. I hope to observe tonight, and will be looking at least 3 min early, in case the payloads manoeuvred. Ted Molczan ----------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from SeeSat-L, send a message with 'unsubscribe' in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@satobs.org List archived at http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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