FAST: Will it flash or glint?
Jim Varney (jvarney@mail2.quiknet.com)
Thu, 15 Aug 1996 21:46:26 -0700
The Fast Auroral SnapshoT Explorer (FAST) is scheduled to be launched Aug. 18
by a Pegasus near Vandenberg AFB. It will be placed in an 83 degree
350x4200 km orbit. FAST is roughly octogonal (four large sides and four small
sides) and will be spin stabilized at 12 rpm, with the spin axis along the
direction of forward motion. The exterior of the spacecraft is completely
covered with solar cells that have -- get this -- a 60 mil thick glass cover!
Flash observers may be interested in looking for this one. I know I will be.
Here we have a glass-covered object with eight flat sides and a known
rotation rate. It will be fascinating to see how the observed behavior
correlates with the known physical characteristics and rotation of the
satellite.
My guess is that because the object is fairly small that we will want to try
and look for it near apogee.
Happy hunting!
-- Jim
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Jim Varney | 121^ 23' 54" W, 38^ 27' 28" N | Sacramento, CA
Member, SeeSat-L| Elev. 31 ft. |jvarney@mail2.quiknet.com
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