The SPACEWARN Bulletin is prepared by Chee-ming Wong World Data Center A for Rockets and Satellites Code 930.2 Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD 20771 Phone: (301) 286-9795 Telex: 89675 SPAN: NSSDCA::WONG The four most recent bulletins are available via anonymous FTP from NSSDCA.GSFC.NASA.GOV (128.183.36.23) in directory ANON_DIR:[000000.ACTIVE.SPX] SPX-453 JULY 25, 1991 SPACEWARN Activities (All information in this publication was received between June 25 and July 24, 1991.) A. List of New International Designations and Launch Dates. (HQ USSPACECOM Catalog numbers are in parentheses.) 1991-052A (21611) RESURS-F12 Jul 23 1991-050C (21576) ORBCOMM-X Jul 17 051G (21586) MICROSAT-7 Jul 17 050B (21575) UOSAT-F Jul 17 051F (21585) MICROSAT-6 Jul 17 050A (21574) ERS-1 Jul 17 051E (21584) MICROSAT-5 Jul 17 049A (21560) COSMOS 2153 Jul 10 051D (21583) MICROSAT-4 Jul 17 048A (21558) COSMOS 2152 Jul 10 051C (21582) MICROSAT-3 Jul 17 047B (21553) LOSAT-X Jul 4 051B (21581) MICROSAT-2 Jul 17 047A (21552) USA-71 Jul 4 051A (21580) MICROSAT-1 Jul 17 046A (21533) GORIZONT 23 Jul 1 050E (21578) SARA Jul 17 045A (21527) REX Jun 29 050D (21577) TUBSAT Jul 17 044A (21524) RESURS-F11 Jun 28 B. Text of Launching Announcements. 1991-052A RESURS-F12 was launched on July 23, 1991, by the U.S.S.R. using the SOYUZ rocket booster. On board is equipment to continue the research of the Earth's natural resources. Initial orbital parameters: period 88.7 min, apogee 261 km, perigee 195 km, inclination 82.3 deg. 1991-051G MICROSAT-7 051F MICROSAT-6 051E MICROSAT-5 051D MICROSAT-4 051C MICROSAT-3 051B MICROSAT-2 051A MICROSAT-1 were launched on July 17, 1991. 1991-050E SARA was launched on July 17, 1991, by the same ARIANE rocket booster that launched ERS-1. 1991-050D TUBSAT was launched on July 17, 1991, by the same ARIANE rocket booster that launched ERS-1. 1991-050C ORBCOMM-X was launched on July 17, 1991, by the same ARIANE rocket booster that launched ERS-1. 1991-050B UOSAT-F was launched on July 17, 1991, by the same ARIANE rocket booster that launched ERS-1. 1991-050A ERS-1, a low Earth-orbiting, Sun-synchronous satellite supported by the multimission platform which carries a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), a radar serving as Wind Scatterometer (WS), a Radar Altimeter (RA), an Along Track Scanning Radiometer and microwave sounder (ATSR), and a Precise Range and Range Rate Equipment (PRARE), was launched on July 17, 1991, from the Kourou Space Center, French Guiana, using the ARIANE rocket booster and placed into a near- circular polar orbit. 1991-049A COSMOS 2153 was launched on July 10, 1991, by the U.S.S.R. using the SOYUZ rocket booster. Initial orbital parameters: period 89.0 min, apogee 292 km, perigee 192 km, inclination 64.9 deg. 1991-048A COSMOS 2152 was launched on July 10, 1991, by the U.S.S.R. using the SOYUZ rocket booster. Initial orbital parameters: period 88.7 min, apogee 266 km, perigee 188 km, inclination 82.3 deg. 1991-047B LOSAT-X was launched on July 4, 1991, by the United States. Initial orbital parameters: period 92.8 min, apogee 416 km, perigee 402 km, inclination 40.0 deg. 1991-047A USA-71 was launched on July 4, 1991, by the United States. Initial orbital parameters: period 704.6 min, apogee 20,250 km, perigee 19,451 km, inclination 55.3 deg. 1991-046A GORIZONT 23, a communications satellite, was launched on July 1, 1991, by the U.S.S.R. utilizing the PROTON rocket booster. The satellite has been placed in a near-circular orbit. Initial orbital parameters: period 23 hr 50 min, distance from the Earth's surface 35,672 km, inclination 1.4 deg. 1991-045A REX, a U.S. Air Force radiation experiment satellite, was launched on June 29, 1991, using a SCOUT rocket booster. Initial orbital parameters: period 101.3 min, apogee 871 km, perigee 770 km, inclination 89.6 deg. 1991-044A RESURS-F11 was launched on June 28, 1991, by the U.S.S.R. using the SOYUZ rocket booster. On board is equipment to continue research of the Earth's natural resources. Initial orbital parameters: period 88.8 min, apogee 269 km, perigee 192 km, inclination 82.3 deg. C. Spacecraft Particularly Suited for International Participation (Category I). 1. Spacecraft with essentially continuous radio beacons on frequencies less than 150 MHz, or higher frequencies if especially suited for ionospheric or geodetic studies. ("NNSS" denotes U.S. Navy Navigational Satellite System; those bracketed indicate updated information since the last issue. SPACEWARN would appreciate suggestions to update this list.) Dessignation, Epoch, Frequency, Power, National Name and Orbit Information Remarks 1966-110A June 16, 1988 Weak signals. VHF translator on ATS 1 137.35 MHz ~12 hr/day. Inclination: 14.0 deg 1967-111A June 16, 1988 Weak signals. ATS 3 136.37 MHz 137.35 MHz Location: 105 deg W Inclination: 12.1 deg 1973-081A September 15, 1988 Operational transit. (Also known as OSCAR (NAV) 20 150 MHz at 0.75 W NNSS 30200) 400 MHz at 1.25 W Inclination: 89.9 deg 1975-100A [June 29,1991] GOES 1 136.38 MHz [Location: 81.2 deg W] [Inclination: 10.5 deg] 1977-048A [June 27, 1991] GOES 2 136.38 MHz [Location: 59.6 deg W] [Inclination: 9.0 deg] 1978-012A [June 19, 1991] IUE 136.86 MHz [Inclination: 32.890 deg] 1978-062A [June 16, 1991] GOES 3 136.38 MHz [Location: 175.0 deg W] [Inclination: 7.8 deg] 1981-044A March 4, 1991 Removed from service 0204 UT, March NOVA I 150 MHz at 3.00 W 3, 1991. Switched to maintenance 400 MHz at 5.00 W frequency at 2127 UT, March 4, 1991. Inclination: 90.0 deg (Also known as NNSS 30480) 1981-057A [May 15, 1991] Turned on when beacon of METEOSAT 3 METEOSAT 2 137.078 MHz is turned off and vice versa. [Location: 10.2 deg W] [Inclination: 4.2 deg] 1984-110A September 15, 1988 Operational transit. (Also known as NOVA III 150 MHz at 3.00 W NNSS 30500) 400 MHz at 5.00 W Inclination: 90.0 deg 1984-114B [June 27, 1991] MARECS-B2 137.17 MHz [Location: 55.5 deg W] [Inclination: 2.2 deg] 1984-123A [June 30, 1991] NOAA 9 137.62 MHz [Inclination: 99.168 deg] 1985-066B February 26, 1991 Switched to maintenance frequency OSCAR (NAV) 30 150 MHz at 1.00 W and placed in on-orbit storage 2048 400 MHz at 2.00 W UT, February 26, 1991. (Also known Inclination: 89.9 deg as NNSS 30300) 1986-073A [June 30, 1991] NOAA 10 137.50 MHz [Inclination: 98.560 deg] [1986-086A July 18, 1991] [COSMOS 1791 150 MHz] [400 MHz] [Inclination: 82.945 deg] 1986-088A September 15, 1988 Experimental. (Also known as NNSS POLAR BEAR 150 MHz at 0.75 W 30170) 400 MHz at 1.25 W Inclination: 89.9 deg 1987-080A December 5, 1988 Operational transit. (Also known as OSCAR (NAV) 27 150 MHz at 0.75 W NNSS 30270) 400 MHz at 1.25 W Inclination: 90.3 deg 1987-080B February 7, 1991 Operational transit. (Also known as OSCAR (NAV) 29 150 MHz at 0.75 W NNSS 30290) 400 MHz at 1.25 W Inclination: 90.3 deg 1988-033A January 31, 1989 Operational transit. (Also known as OSCAR (NAV) 23 150 MHz at 0.75 W NNSS 30230) 400 MHz at 1.25 W Inclination: 90.4 deg 1988-033B February 26, 1991 Operational transit. (Also known as OSCAR (NAV) 32 150 MHz at 1.00 W NNSS 30320) 400 MHz at 2.00 W Inclination: 90.4 deg 1988-051A February 7, 1991 Turned on when beacon of METEOSAT 2 METEOSAT 3 137.080 MHz is turned off and vice versa. Location: 3 deg W 1988-052A September 15, 1988 Operational transit. (Also known as NOVA II 150 MHz at 3.00 W NNSS 30490) 400 MHz at 5.00 W Inclination: 90.0 deg 1988-074A September 15, 1988 Stored in orbit at an offset OSCAR (NAV) 25 150 MHz at 0.75 W frequency. (Also known as NNSS 400 MHz at 1.25 W 30250) Inclination: 90.0 deg 1988-074B March 8, 1990 Stored in orbit at an offset OSCAR (NAV) 31 150 MHz at 1.00 W frequency. [(Also known as NNSS] 400 MHz at 2.00 W [30310; previous listed number 30130] Inclination: 98.971 deg [is incorrect)] 1988-089A [June 28, 1991] NOAA 11 136.77 MHz 137.77 MHz [Inclination: 99.031 deg] [1989-017A July 18, 1991] [COSMOS 2004 149.94 MHz] [399.84 MHz] [Inclination: 82.955 deg] [1989-042A July 18, 1991] [COSMOS 2026 149.97 MHz] [399.92 MHz] [Inclination: 82.941 deg] [1990-017A July 18, 1991] [NADEZHDA-2 150 MHZ] [400 MHZ] [Inclination: 82.955] [1990-023A July 19, 1991] [COSMOS 2061 149.94 MHz] [399.84 MHz] [Inclination: 82.936 deg] [1990-036A July 19, 1991] [COSMOS 2074 149.91 MHz] [399.76 MHz] [Inclination: 82.944 deg] [1990-083A July 18, 1991] [COSMOS 2100 149.97 MHz] [399.92 MHz] [Inclination: 82.938 deg] [1991-007A July 18, 1991] [COSMOS 2123 150 MHz] [400 MHz] [Inclination: 82.923 deg] [1991-019A July 18, 1991] [NADEZHDA-3 150 MHz] [400 MHz] [Inclination: 82.929 deg] [1991-029A July 18, 1991] [COSMOS 2142 150.03 MHz] [400.08 MHz] [Inclination: 82.953 deg] 2. Optical objects used for geophysical studies. (These objects are also suitable for studies of air density and atmospheric winds. Additional research interest is indicated by + for gravitational fields. SPACEWARN would appreciate suggestions to update this list). + 1965-098C ALOUETTE 2 (rocket) 1970-034B CHINA 1 (rocket) 1971-016A COSMOS 398 + 1984-106A COSMOS 1603 + 1988-021B IRS-1A (rocket) 3. Satellites useful for simultaneous observation programs with small cameras. ("NNN" Denotes no national name. SPACEWARN should appreciate suggestions to update this list.) Apogee Perigee Incl (km) (km) Magn Remarks 1963-049A NNN 89.9 1086 1060 +5 cylinder, 4.8 x 1.4 m 1964-001A NNN 69.9 927 904 +5 cylinder, 8 x 1.5 m 1964-053A COSMOS 44 65.1 817 608 +4 cylinder 1965-070F COSMOS 56.1 1515 1357 +5 rocket body 1965-073F COSMOS 56.1 1686 1387 +5 rocket body 1965-089A GEOS 1 59.4 2275 1113 octahedron and pyramid, 0.81 x 1.22 m 1968-002A GEOS 2 105.8 1570 1082 octahedron and pyramid, 0.81 x 1.22 m 1975-027A GEOS 3 115.0 858 818 octahedron and pyramid, 1.11 x 1.22 m 1976-039A LAGEOS 109.8 5946 5837 sphere, 0.6 m diameter 4. Satellite objects that are nearing their decay into the atmosphere. (Orbital observations of these objects during the decaying phase are useful for atmospheric studies. Note: For maneuverable spacecraft the prediction may be invalid.) Objects predicted to decay within 60 days from June 26, 1991 Expected Decay Dates 1991 1965-082AU Aug 20 1986-017CZ Aug 2 1971-015CX Aug 5 1986-017DM Aug 8 1972-058JJ Jul 30 1986-017DT Aug 20 1976-120AF Aug 2 1986-017ED Aug 11 1976-120BA Aug 22 1990-104T Aug 1 1981-028F Aug 13 5. Actual decays. Actual Decay Dates 1991 1960-BETA 1 Jul 2 1990-104N Jul 10 1961-OMI170 Jul 6 1990-104P Jul 21 1965-020EW Jul 9 1990-104Q Jul 14 1969-082CB Jul 6 1990-104R Jul 20 1970-025LH Jun 23 1990-104S Jul 21 1975-052BT Jun 29 1990-104U Jul 15 1981-017A (HINOTORI) Jul 11 1990-104V Jul 15 1986-017DA Jun 24 1991-035C Jun 21 1986-017DD Jun 24 1991-035D Jun 20 1986-017DK Jul 14 1991-036A (COSMOS 2149) Jul 4 1986-017DU Jul 11 1991-043B Jul 2 1986-017EC Jul 12 1991-043C Jun 27 1986-017EE Jul 6 1991-044A (RESURS-F11) Jul 21 1986-019BC Jul 9 1991-044B Jun 30 1986-019GS Jul 20 1991-046B Jul 4 1990-104K Jul 15 1991-046C Jul 2 1990-104L Jul 10 1991-048B Jul 10 1990-104M Jul 10 1991-049B Jul 13 D. Launching Reports and Updated Information. (This section covers only those reports that are sent to us directly by the national agencies.) 1. Prelaunch announcement. Spacecraft Name: Broadcasting Satellite-3B (BS-3B) Planned Launch Date: August 16, 1991 Country: Japan Orbit Type Period Apogee Perigee Weight Geostationary ca 23 h 56 m ca 36,000 km ca 36,000 km ca 550 kg (beginning of life) Geographic Longitude Longitude Tolerance 110 deg e -+0.1 deg (e-w, s-n) [B Nominal Transmitting Frequencies and Output Power 2276.99 MHz 2.50 w 11.70299 GMz 0.08 w 11.80420 GHz 120 w 11.88092 GHz 120 w 11 99600 GHz 120 w 12.64000 GHz 120 w Probability of Survival in 7 years: More than 0.72 Launching Organization: National Space Development Agency of Japan Spacecraft Mission: a) Follow on to the BS-2 service. b) Meet increasing broadcasting service demand. c) Development of advanced satellite broadcasting technology. 2. Prelaunch announcement. The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) is going to launch a satellite named "SOLAR-A" at 2:30 UT, August 26, 1991, from Kagoshima Space Center, Uchinoura, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. The main objective of this satellite is the observation of solar flares on the surface of the Sun which is now in its most active period. The observation will be carried out at soft and hard X-ray wavelengths. On board SOLAR-A are: Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT) through Japan-U.S. collaboration, Hard X-ray Telescope (HXT) of Japan, Bragg Crystal Spectrometer (BCS) through Japan-U.K. collaboration, and Wide Band X-ray and Gamma-ray Spectrometer(WBS) of Japan. The planned orbital parameters as of July 5, 1991, are as follows: Epoch 2:38:36 UT, August 26, 1991 Semi-Major Axis 6993 km Eccentricity 0.007264 Ascending Node 31.083 deg Argument of Perigee 41.368 deg Mean Anomaly 93.468 deg Period 96.99 min SOLAR-A will transmit 2.2 GHz (S-band) with 0.5/0.02 watts and 8.4 GHz (X-band) with 0.8/0.05 watts. The launcher is M-3SII-6, the sixth flight of M-3S rocket, which is the fifth generation of ISAS MU launch vehicle. M-3SII has sent the following: Two Halley's comet explorers (SAKIGAKE=MS-T5, SUISEI=PLANET-A), One X-ray astronomy satellite (GINGA=ASTRO-C), One aurora observation satellite (AKEBONO=EXO'S-D), and One space engineering satellite (HITEN=MUSES-A). M-3SII-6 is 1.41 in diameter, 27.785 m in total length, and its launch weight is 61.228 tons. ============================================================================== Richard B. Langley BITnet: LANG@UNB.CA or SE@UNB.CA Geodetic Research Laboratory Phone: (506) 453-5142 Dept. of Surveying Engineering Telex: 014-46202 University of New Brunswick FAX: (506) 453-4943 Fredericton, N.B., Canada E3B 5A3 ============================================================================== --- QM v1.00 * Origin: Join .fidonet.org domain (2:220/801.0)