RE: Does FSW 3, 04-033 A, 28042 really flash?

From: Ted Molczan (molczan@rogers.com)
Date: Thu Oct 07 2004 - 00:44:46 EDT

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    Phillip Clark has kindly shared his comments about the flashing of FSW 3-2, per
    the appended message.
    
    Ted Molczan
    
    
    From: Phillip Clark [molniya at dircon.co.uk] 
    Sent: October 7, 2004 12:29 AM
    To: Ted Molczan
    Cc: Phil Clark (Home)
    Subject: Flashing FSWs
    
    Hi Ted,
    
    Thank you for the links which were most interesting: I had not been aware that
    the equipment module from the second FSW-3 had started to flash.
    
    FYI, we know that these satellites can carry CCD cameras.   My
    currently-unpublished (but privately circulated) theory is that after the
    descent modules return to Earth the equipment module which remains in orbit and
    carries the actual camera system continues to have the CCD imaging system
    operating: this started, I think, with the FSW-1 series and has continued with
    the FSW-2 and FSW-3 series.
    
    We know from Chinese literature that there was a thruster problem with the first
    FSW-2 in 1992 and this led to the cancellation of the orbital manoeuvre planned
    for the 12th day of flight, and while the trouble was investigated the flight
    was extended by a day.   On the next two FSW-2 missions the equipment module
    performed a single manoeuvre after the descent module returned, and I think that
    this was to extend the operations with the CCD as much as the remaining
    propellant allowed.   There was no such manoeuvre on the first FSW-2, probably
    because of the prior thruster problem.
    
    Then last year the first FSW-3 equipment module also performed a manoeuvre after
    the descent module recovery, and once more I think that this was to allow
    extended use of the CCD system.
    
    So, I have been confidently waiting for the equipment module from the second
    FSW-3 (28402) to manoeuvre (the descent module came down just before midnight
    GMT on Sep 24 after nearly 27 days in orbit - an FSW duration record), but if it
    is now tumbling (and thus flashing) then I assume that attitude control has been
    lost and unless it is regained the expected manoeuvre will not take place.
    
    Still, there is always the third FSW-3 which has not yet shed its descent craft:
    I have heard no rumours as to how long it will be before the descent craft
    returns - it might be ~27 days like the previous flight, but then again all
    three FSW-3 missions have used different orbital regimes and #2 shed its descent
    craft ~10 days later than did #1.
    
    At least the Chinese can still surprise us !
    
    It seems that I cannot post to SEESAT-L, so if you want to post these comments
    as a possible explanation as to what is happening then feel free !
    
    Phil
    
    __________________________________________________________________________
    
    Phillip S Clark                      Flat 2 Wellington House
    Molniya Space Consultancy            Castle Hill Passage
                                         Hastings
    Compiler/Publisher                   East Sussex   TN34 1PG
       Worldwide Satellite Launches      United Kingdom
    
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