MUOS 1 is scheduled for launch today from CCAFS, on an Atlas V-551. The launch window is from 2012 Feb 16 22:46 to 23:30 UTC. Information on the launch is available here: http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av030/status.html The following *rough* TLEs are based on launch at window-open. MECO 1 167 X 624 km 1 79601U 12047.95718750 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 02 2 79601 28.0000 308.8000 0337670 130.0000 3.3000 15.58830000 00 MECO 2 193 X 34447 km 1 79602U 12047.96724537 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 04 2 79602 26.0000 311.2000 7227302 179.9293 1.5500 2.38040000 02 MECO 3 3463 X 35786 km 1 79603U 12048.07203934 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 01 2 79603 19.0000 326.7000 6215271 179.0000 74.6500 2.07084000 09 Spacecraft separation is planned to occur at T+3:01:23. Soon afterward, the Centaur will conduct a Collision and Contamination Avoidance Maneuver (CCAM), followed by a blow-down of remaining Centaur propellants. The typical Centaur end of mission occurs 4400 s after spacecraft separation. I have not evaluated visibility windows, but based on a quick look, it appears that the CCAM and blow-down will occur within range of Western Australia, but well after sunrise. Prospective observers should use the MECO 3 TLE to evaluate visibility. Eventually, the payload will enter an inclined GEO orbit in one of the existing UFO slots. Ted Molczan _______________________________________________ Seesat-l mailing list http://mailman.satobs.org/mailman/listinfo/seesat-l
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Thu Feb 16 2012 - 14:39:03 UTC