Re: STS-99 Elset: Great News for UK Observers

From: John locker (satcom@cybase.co.uk)
Date: Sat Jan 15 2000 - 11:07:31 PST

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    I can confirm Rons report , with an inc of 57 degs we should catch sight of
    STS-99 over the UK as the shuttle climbs out.
    Some years ago comms were also heard on the primary UHF freq during the
    initial stages of a high inclination mission.
    
    Of course , as far as visuals are concerned , we have one problem
    here................. the weather ;- (
    
    Regards,
    
    John.
    Liverpool. UK
    
    
    ----------
    > From: Ron Lee <ronlee@pcisys.net>
    > To: SeeSat-L@blackadder.lmsal.com
    > Subject: STS-99 Elset: Great News for UK Observers
    > Date: 15 January 2000 17:50
    > 
    > George,  you are in luck. I came up with a rough preliminary
    > elset that suggests (IF correct), that it goes almost overhead
    > for you just after launch (around 18:05 UT).
    > 
    > Here is the elset:
    > 
    > STS-99
    > 1 99999U 00-00X A 00031.76388888  .00006000  00000-0  00000-0 0    16
    > 2 99999  57.0000 296.0000 0005000 000.0000 155.0000 16.19000000    10
    > 
    > It is very preliminary since I had no data to work with other than the
    > launch time, inclination and reported altitude of 126 nm.  There is an
    > error since I set it to 120 nm. But for the first rev, it is close
    > enough.
    > 
    > If you do not have a prediction program, I can generate a Skymap plot
    > in the form of a JPG if you are interested (email me privately).
    > 
    > Once better orbital data is provided, I can develop a better elset to
    > correct the altitude error and anything else I may not now be aware of.
    > 
    > Of course if someone else has the data and wishes to supply a prelaunch
    > elset, I would not be offended.
    > 
    > One side note, it would be interesting to see if UK region observers
    > might see an OMS burn.
    > 
    > Ron Lee
    > 
    > 
    > >I understand that this mission is related to radar mapping of the 
    > >earths geography-I assume this means that the majority of the 
    > >planets surface will be covered-on this basis does that mean the 
    > >shuttle will have a high inclination orbit, and if so what are the 
    > >chances of observation from the UK-I would imagine that any (even 
    > >notional) predictions are difficult until after the time of launch with 
    > >observers in the USA being the first to analyse orbital data?
    > >George Amos-station 2453 350 feet above sea level
    > >53 degrees 23 minutes 49 seconds North
    > >2 degrees 4 minutes 57 seconds West
    > 
    > 
    > 
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