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 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-457 NOVEMBER 25, 1991 SPACEWARN Activities (All information in this publication was received between October 25, and November 24, 1991.) A. List of New International Designations and Launch Dates. (HQ USSPACECOM Catalog numbers are in parentheses.) 1991-080A (21795) STS-44 Nov 24 1991-077C (21781) COSMOS 2167 Nov 12 079A (21789) COSMOS 2172 Nov 22 077B (21780) COSMOS 2166 Nov 12 078A (21787) COSMOS 2171 Nov 20 077A (21779) COSMOS 2165 Nov 12 077F (21784) COSMOS 2170 Nov 12 076A (21775) USA-72 Nov 8 077E (21783) COSMOS 2169 Nov 12 075A (21765) INTELSAT VI F-1 Oct 29 077D (21782) COSMOS 2168 Nov 12 B. Text of Launching Announcements. 1991-080A STS-44, the space shuttle Atlantis, was launched on November 24, 1991 by the U.S. Its mid-deck payload consists of a Department of Defense satellite. 1991-079A COSMOS 2172, a communications satellite, was launched on November 22, 1991 by the U.S.S.R. using the PROTON carrier rocket. 1991-078A COSMOS 2171 was launched on November 20, 1991 by the U.S.S.R. to continue space research using the SOYUZ carrier rocket. 1991-077F COSMOS 2170 was launched on November 12, 1991 by the U.S.S.R. to continue space research utilizing the same booster rocket that launched COSMOS 2165. Initial orbital parameters: period 113.8 min, apogee 1432 km, perigee 1385 km, inclination 82.6 deg. 1991-077E COSMOS 2169 was launched on November 12, 1991 by the U.S.S.R. to continue space research utilizing the same booster rocket that launched COSMOS 2165. Initial orbital parameters: period 113.8 min, apogee 1432 km, perigee 1385 km, inclination 82.6 deg. 1991-077D COSMOS 2168 was launched on November 12, 1991 by the U.S.S.R. to continue space research utilizing the same booster rocket that launched COSMOS 2165. Initial orbital parameters: period 113.8 min, apogee 1434 km, perigee 1392 km, inclination 82.6 deg. 1991-077C COSMOS 2167 was launched on November 12, 1991 by the U.S.S.R. to continue space research utilizing the same booster rocket that launched COSMOS 2165. Initial orbital parameters: period 113.9 min, apogee 1437 km, perigee 1402 km, inclination 82.6 deg. 1991-077B COSMOS 2166 was launched on November 12, 1991 by the U.S.S.R. to continue space research utilizing the same booster rocket that launched COSMOS 2165. Initial orbital parameters: period 114.0 min, apogee 1440 km, perigee 1408 km, inclination 82.6 deg. 1991-077A COSMOS 2165 was launched on November 12, 1991 by the U.S.S.R. to continue space research. Initial orbital parameters: period 113.9 min, apogee 1436 km, perigee 1396 km, inclination 82.6 deg. 1991-076A USA-72 was launched on November 8, 1991 by the U.S. 1991-075A INTELSAT VI F-1, a telecommunications satellite, was launched on October 29, 1991 from the Kourou Space Center using the ARIANE booster rocket. Initial orbital parameters: period 716.1 min, apogee 35,738 km, perigee 4533 km, inclination 4.4 deg. The spacecraft is capable of handling 120,000 telephone, television broadcast, and other services simultaneously; its system of directional antennas allow the satellite to cover the entire American, European, and African continents by means of a reconfiguration. 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. (Square bracketed indicate updated information since the last issue. SPACEWARN would appreciate suggestions to update this list.) Acknowledgement: SPACEWARN appreciates the updates, in this section, supplied by Keith Stein, Springfield, Virginia. Designation, Epoch, Frequency, Power, National Name and Orbit Information Remarks 1966-110A (02608) June 16, 1988 Weak signals. ATS 1 137.35 MHz VHF translator on ~12 hr/day. Inclination: 14.0 deg 1967-111A (03029) June 16, 1988 Weak signals. ATS 3 136.37 MHz 137.35 MHz Location: 105 deg W Inclination: 12.1 deg 1973-081A (06909) September 15, 1988 Operational transit. OSCAR (NAV) 20 150 MHz at 0.75 W Also known as NNSS 30200. 400 MHz at 1.25 W Inclination: 89.9 deg 1975-100A (08366) June 29,1991 GOES 1 136.38 MHz Location: 81.2 deg W Inclination: 10.5 deg 1977-048A (10061) September 19, 1991 GOES 2 136.38 MHz Location: 59.8 deg W Inclination: 9.1 deg 1978-012A (10637) September 28, 1991 IUE 136.86 MHz Inclination: 33.004 deg 1978-062A (10953) September 23, 1991 GOES 3 136.38 MHz Location: 173.9 deg W Inclination: 8.0 deg 1981-044A (12458) March 4, 1991 Stored in orbit at maintenance NOVA I 150 MHz at 3.00 W frequency. 400 MHz at 5.00 W Also known as NNSS 30480. Inclination: 90.0 deg 1981-057A (12544) September 12, 1991 METEOSAT 2 137.078 MHz Location: 10 deg W Inclination: 4 deg 1984-110A (13562) September 15, 1988 Operational transit. NOVA III 150 MHz at 3.00 W Also known as NNSS 30500. 400 MHz at 5.00 W Inclination: 90.0 deg 1984-114B (13586) September 24, 1991 MARECS-B2 137.17 MHz Location: 55.5 deg W Inclination: 2.4 deg 1984-123A (15427) October 12, 1991 NOAA 9 137.62 MHz Inclination: 99.165 deg 1985-066B (15936) February 26, 1991 Stored in orbit at maintenance OSCAR (NAV) 30 150 MHz at 1.00 W frequency. 400 MHz at 2.00 W Also known as NNSS 30300. Inclination: 89.9 deg [1986-017A (16609) October 27, 1991 ] [MIR 145.550 MHz ] [ Inclination 51.604 deg] 1986-073A (16969) October 9, 1991 NOAA 10 137.50 MHz Inclination: 98.558 deg 1986-086A (17066) July 18, 1991 COSMOS 1791 150 MHz 400 MHz Inclination: 82.945 deg 1986-088A (17070) September 15, 1988 Experimental. POLAR BEAR 150 MHz at 0.75 W Also known as NNSS 30170. 400 MHz at 1.25 W Inclination: 89.9 deg [1987-054A (18129) October 27, 1991 ] [COSMOS 1861 29.357 MHz ] [ 29.403 MHz ] [ 29.407 MHz ] [ Inclination 82.926 deg] 1987-080A (18361) December 5, 1988 Operational transit. OSCAR (NAV) 27 150 MHz at 0.75 W Also known as NNSS 30270. 400 MHz at 1.25 W Inclination: 90.3 deg 1987-080B (18362) February 7, 1991 Operational transit. OSCAR (NAV) 29 150 MHz at 0.75 W Also known as NNSS 30290. 400 MHz at 1.25 W Inclination: 90.3 deg 1988-033A (19070) January 31, 1989 Operational transit. OSCAR (NAV) 23 150 MHz at 0.75 W Also known as NNSS 30230. 400 MHz at 1.25 W Inclination: 90.4 deg 1988-033B (19071) February 26, 1991 Operational transit. OSCAR (NAV) 32 150 MHz at 1.00 W Also known as NNSS 30320. 400 MHz at 2.00 W Inclination: 90.4 deg 1988-051A (19251) September 12, 1991 Transmits on command. METEOSAT 3 137.080 MHz Location: 50 deg 1988-052A (19223) September 15, 1988 Operational transit. NOVA II 150 MHz at 3.00 W Also known as NNSS 30490. 400 MHz at 5.00 W Inclination: 90.0 deg 1988-074A (19419) September 15, 1988 Stored in orbit at an offset OSCAR (NAV) 25 150 MHz at 0.75 W frequency. 400 MHz at 1.25 W Also known as NNSS 30250. Inclination: 90.0 deg 1988-074B (19420) March 8, 1990 Stored in orbit at an offset OSCAR (NAV) 31 150 MHz at 1.00 W frequency. 400 MHz at 2.00 W Also known as NNSS 30310. Inclination: 98.971 deg 1988-089A (19531) October 10, 1991 NOAA 11 136.77 MHz 137.77 MHz Inclination: 99.043 deg 1989-017A (19826) July 18, 1991 COSMOS 2004 149.94 MHz 399.84 MHz Inclination: 82.955 deg 1989-042A (20045) July 18, 1991 COSMOS 2026 149.97 MHz 399.92 MHz Inclination: 82.941 deg 1990-017A (20508) July 18, 1991 NADEZHDA-2 150 MHz 400 MHz Inclination: 82.955 deg 1990-023A (20527) July 19, 199 Not active, replaced by COSMOS 2061 149.94 MHz 1991-059A COSMOS 2154. 399.84 MHz Inclination: 82.936 deg 1990-036A (20577) July 19, 1991 COSMOS 2074 149.91 MHz 399.76 MHz Inclination: 82.944 deg 1990-083A (20804) July 18, 1991 COSMOS 2100 149.97 MHz 399.92 MHz Inclination: 82.938 deg [1990-086A (20826) October 27, 1991 ] [METEOR 2-20 137.850 MHz ] [ Inclination 82.530 deg] 1991-007A (21089) July 18, 1991 COSMOS 2123 150 MHz 400 MHz Inclination: 82.923 deg 1991-019A (21152) July 18, 1991 NADEZHDA-3 150 MHz 400 MHz Inclination: 82.929 deg 1991-029A (21230) July 18, 1991 COSMOS 2142 150.03 MHz 400.08 MHz Inclination: 82.953 deg [1991-030A (21232) October 27, 1991 ] [METEOR 3-4 137.300 MHz ] [ Inclination 82.548 deg] [1991-032A (21236) October 28, 1991 ] [NOAA 12 137.500 MHz ] [ Inclination 98.723 deg] 1991-059A (21666) September 29, 1991 Replacing 1990-023A COSMOS COSMOS 2154 149.94 MHz 2061, in plane #3 on September 399.84 MHz 4, 1991. Inclination: 82.909 deg 2. Global Positioning System satellites useful for navigational purposes and geodetic studies. ("NNN" denotes no national name; SPACEWARN would appreciate suggestions to update this list.) Designation, Epoch, Frequency, National Name and Orbit Information Remarks 1978-093A (11054) September 7, 1991 Also known as GPS 3 (Global NNN 1575.42 MHz Positioning Satellite) and 1227.60 MHz NAVSTAR 3. Inclination 63.682 deg 1983-072A (14189) September 8, 1991 Also known as NAVSTAR 8. NNN 1575.42 MHz 1227.60 MHz Inclination 63.601 deg 1984-059A (15039) September 8, 1991 Also known as USA-1 and NNN 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 9. 1227.60 MHz Inclination 63.363 deg 1984-097A (15271) September 9, 1991 Also known as NAVSTAR 10. USA-5 1575.42 MHz 1227.60 MHz Inclination 62.973 deg 1985-093A (16129) September 8, 1991 Also known as NAVSTAR 11. USA-10 1575.42 MHz 1227.60 MHz Inclination 64.115 deg 1989-013A (19820) August 17, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-1 (2nd USA-35 1575.42 MHz Generation Global Positioning 1227.60 MHz Satellite) and NAVSTAR 2-01. Inclination 55.033 deg 1989-044A (20061) August 19, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-2 and USA-38 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 2-02. 1227.60 MHz Inclination 54.937 deg 1989-064A (20185) July 9, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-3 and USA-42 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 2-03. 1227.60 MHz Inclination 54.873 deg 1989-085A (20302) July 6, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-4 and USA-47 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 2-04. 1227.60 MHz Inclination 54.368 deg 1989-097A (20361) August 24, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-5 and USA-49 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 2-05. 1227.60 MHz Inclination 55.058 deg 1990-008A (20452) August 23, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-6 and USA-50 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 2-06. 1227.60 MHz Inclination 54.329 deg 1990-025A (20533) August 24, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-7 and USA-54 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 2-07. 1227.60 MHz Inclination 55.202 deg 1990-068A (20724) August 23, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-8 and USA-63 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 2-08. 1227.60 MHz Inclination 54.671 deg 1990-088A (20830) August 24, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-9 and USA-64 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 2-09. 1227.60 MHz Inclination 54.984 deg 1990-103A (20959) September 4, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-10 and USA-66 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 2A-01. 1227.60 MHz Inclination 54.893 deg 1991-047A (21552) September 17, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-11 and USA-71 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 2A-02. 1227.60 MHz Inclination 55.275 3. Optical objects used for geophysical studies. (SPACEWARN would appreciate suggestions to update this list.) 1965-098C (01807) ALOUETTE 2 rocket (gravitational field) 1970-034B (04392) CHINA 1 rocket (atmospheric winds) 1971-016A (04966) COSMOS 398 (atmospheric winds, air density) 1975-072B (08063) COS-B second stage (atmospheric winds) 1984-106A (15333) COSMOS 1603 (gravitational field) 1985-100B (16194) METEOR 3-01 rocket (gravitational field) 1988-021B (18961) IRS-1A rocket (gravitational field) 4. Satellites useful for simultaneous observation programs with small cameras. ("NNN" denotes no national name. SPACEWARN would appreciate suggestions to update this list.) Apogee Perigee Incl (km) (km) Magn Remarks 1963-049A (00730) NNN 89.9 1086 1060 +5 cylinder, 4.8 x 1.4 m 1964-001A (00727) NNN 69.9 927 904 +5 cylinder, 8 x 1.5 m 1964-053A (00876) COSMOS 44 65.1 817 608 +4 cylinder 1965-070F (01575) COSMOS 56.1 1515 1357 +5 rocket body 1965-073F (01589) COSMOS 56.1 1686 1387 +5 rocket body 1965-089A (01726) GEOS 1 59.4 2275 1113 octahedron and pyramid, 0.81 x 1.22 m 1968-002A (03093) GEOS 2 105.8 1570 1082 octahedron and pyramid, 0.81 x 1.22 m 1975-027A (07734) GEOS 3 115.0 858 818 octahedron and pyramid, 1.11 x 1.22 m 1976-039A (08820) LAGEOS 109.8 5946 5837 sphere, 0.6 m diameter 5. 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.) UPDATES NOT AVAILABLE 6. Actual decays. Actual Decay Dates 1991 1961-OMI 138 (00418) Nov 5 1978-026EJ (12289) Nov 10 1963-022C (00610) Nov 15 1979-017KE (17781) Nov 10 1965-082MV (03383) Oct 29 1979-017KM (17825) Oct 22 1965-082PX (03466) Nov 18 1981-053CB (12734) Nov 4 1965-082QU (03498) Oct 27 1981-053GS (13760) Nov 9 1967-014P (18929) Nov 10 1982-118E (13774) Oct 29 1967-039B (02763) Oct 27 1986-017DE (21240) Nov 11 1969-082AQ (04172) Oct 24 1986-017DS (21417) Oct 30 1969-082KV (17659) Oct 26 1986-019VB (19510) Oct 25 1970-025AE (04646) Oct 25 1987-012A (17480) ASTRO-C Nov 1 1970-025FF (04908) Oct 27 1988-108E (19691) Nov 13 1971-015AB (05102) Nov 9 1989-100AJ (21768) Nov 22 1972-011A (05852) COSMOS 476 Oct 25 1989-100AK (21769) Nov 21 1975-052EK (21451) Oct 29 1989-100AL (21770) Nov 22 1975-052FC (21468) Nov 12 1990-100D (20948) Nov 6 1975-052FX (21502) Nov 12 1991-047B (21553) LOSAT-X Nov 15 1975-052GA (21505) Oct 24 1991-047C (21554) Oct 26 1975-052GD (21508) Sep 3 1991-051H (21587) Nov 8 1975-052GF (21510) Oct 31 1991-066A (21713) COSMOS 2156 Nov 17 1975-052GP (21518) Oct 29 1991-070C (21755) Oct 25 1975-052GQ (21519) Nov 13 1991-070D (21756) Oct 25 1975-052GT (21522) Nov 10 1991-070E (21757) Oct 27 1975-052HH (21563) Oct 9 1991-070F (21758) Nov 9 1975-052HP (21569) Nov 16 1991-072C (21745) Oct 25 1975-052HU (21600) Nov 10 1991-074B (21760) Oct 25 1975-052HX (21671) Oct 27 1991-074C (21761) Oct 24 1975-052JF (21679) Oct 19 1991-079B (21790) Nov 24 1975-052JM (21685) Nov 1 1991-079C (21791) Nov 23 1977-014B (09859) Nov 14 ============================================================================== Richard B. Langley Internet: LANG@UNB.CA or SE@UNB.CA Geodetic Research Laboratory BITnet: LANG@UNB or SE@UNB Dept. of Surveying Engineering Phone: (506) 453-5142 University of New Brunswick FAX: (506) 453-4943 Fredericton, N.B., Canada E3B 5A3 Telex: 014-46202 ==============================================================================