Those familiar with SKYMAP rocket trajectory plotting will find the text information below useful. This was derived from the Peacekeeper launch of March 8th 2000 using photos and making some calculations. It fits the observed track very well from three different widely spaced locations. I was able to construct a crude velocity plot as well. Launch time was "calculated" at 1:40:10am PST (9h40m10s U.T) from Altitude and Downrange plots fitted to time since the first part of the ascent is not observable from my location, (up until T+53 seconds) and could be in error of up to +/- 10 seconds. All the points listed (except for the T+25.0 seconds which is estimated and fits plotted curves) are within the boost phase and signify beginning and end point of a photographed track with 5 frames being taken. This file may be used for most Peacekeeper/Minuteman III launches from Vandenberg AFB which head toward Kwajalein Atoll. While not perfect, it fit observations to within 0.1 degree when viewed from 200 miles away. Second stage burnout was at T+108 in the middle of the third photo I took. Third stage burnout was at T+184, just after the last data point. If you're not familiar with the format below, it's Time in seconds from launch, Lat, Long and Alt (in km). Enjoy! Rick Baldridge Campbell, CA ____________________________________________________________________________ ______ 0.0 34.7970 -120.6160 0.00 25.0 34.791 -120.677 13.00 53.0 34.7670 -120.9200 32.00 70.0 34.7420 -121.1610 48.00 78.0 34.7230 -121.3410 59.40 94.0 34.6850 -121.6980 83.00 102.0 34.6530 -121.9950 102.20 118.0 34.5880 -122.5810 140.00 130.0 34.5350 -123.0450 168.00 146.0 34.4530 -123.7310 212.00 152.0 34.4180 -124.0150 230.00 168.0 34.3120 -124.8540 283.10 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe from SeeSat-L by sending a message with 'unsubscribe' in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@lists.satellite.eu.org http://www2.satellite.eu.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Mar 22 2000 - 11:55:32 PST