Cosmos 2345
Phillip Clark (psclark@dircon.co.uk)
Sat, 16 Aug 1997 08:53:40 +0100 (BST)
Yesterday Vladimir Agapov posted a notice which reported the launch of
Cosmos 2345 aboard a four-stage Proton-K vehicle. Based upon the initial
orbital data I calculate a launch time of 20.49 or 20.50 GMT, while Mr
Agapov quoted an announced launch time of 20.49 14 seconds.
The two-line orbital elements which I downloaded from GSFC last night list
three objects from the launch: 24894 is the satellite, 24895 which has
already decayed from orbit might well be the fourth stage shroud and 24896
(expected to decay within a day or so of launch) the Proton-K third stage.
I assume that there will be a fourth stage tracked in orbit at some time -
USSPACECOM often has trouble finding objects when following a new launch
profile.
This is clearly an unusual launch, starting with the orbital inclination.
Normally Proton launches intended for geosynchronous orbit have an
inclination of 51.6 deg in the parking orbit, then manoeuvre to a GTO at
around 47-48 deg and finally to a geosynch drift orbit at around 1.5 deg or
less. We have never seen a geosynch orbit launch start at 53.2 deg
before - and I am assuming that this *is* a launch to a geosynchronous
orbit.
The transfer orbit to geosynch altitude also has an anomalous inclination
of 49.9 deg, although this might be a function of the higher-than-normal
initial inclination. Also the manoeuvre to the transfer orbit was later
than normal. Usually this takes place on the first pass through the
ascending node of the parking orbit, but for Cosmos 2345 the manoeuvre came
around 03.50 GMT on August 15 - around nearly six hours later than normal.
In this, the flight is reminiscent of Cosmos 1940, Cosmos 2155 and Cosmos
2209, all of which were Prognoz early warning satellites initially located
over 336 deg E: perhaps Cosmos 2345 will be stationed at or near this
location ?
Whether or not it is significant is unclear at present, but the GTO
argument of perigee is 352 deg - usually it is closer to zero than this.
The orbital data "so far" for the launch are listed in the table below.
Like the unusual Cosmos 2344 - also launched by a four-stage Proton-K - in
June this year, the Russians are still capable of surprising western
observers of their programme by producing something new.
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Catalogue Epoch Incl Period Perigee Apogee AoP
Number deg min km km deg
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24894 1997 Aug 15.10 53.16 88.27 184 195 209
24894 1997 Aug 15.10 53.17 88.27 184 195 210
24894 1997 Aug 15.16 49.93 621.85 228 35283 352
24894 1997 Aug 15.16 49.95 622.14 233 35292 352
24895 1997 Aug 15.22 53.17 88.04 164 191 219
24895 1997 Aug 15.47 53.17 87.96 161 186 245
24895 1997 Aug 15.59 53.17 87.92 159 184 245
24895 1997 Aug 15.60 53.17 87.92 160 184 245
24895 1997 Aug 15.66 53.17 87.90 159 182 245
24896 1997 Aug 15.22 53.17 87.68 145 173 216
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Phillip Clark
(Anyone wanting to quote this material in a publication should contact me
first.)
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Phillip S Clark 25 Redfern Avenue
Molniya Space Consultancy Whitton
Compiler/Publisher, Worldwide Satellite Launches Middx TW4 5NA
Editor, Jane's Space Directory U.K.
Specialist in "space archeology" - the older and more obscure the more
interesting it is !
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