Re: Skipper

Leo Barhorst (leobarhorst@pi.net)
Sat, 20 Jan 96 19:32:50 PST

The 8th January 1996 issue of Worldwide Satellite Launches gives the 
following information about Skipper:
" Skipper is a joint US-Russian satellite: Utah State University provided the 
forward instrument section an the Moscow Aviation Institute the satellite bus.
Shape is a cilinder, 0.8 m diameter and 1.3 m long. Satellite is to investigate
aerothermochemistry and aerobraking as it dips into the atmosphere. After
checkout the satellite will manoeuvre to a 150 km perigee orbit and then 
perigee will be reduced in 10 km steps until orbital dacay takes place".

Mass is 230 kg.

Seems to be a bit too small to be easely visible, as its apogee will be close to
800 km. At perigee it will be moving very fast.

Greetings