Re: Perigee passes for Delta 2 R/B

3432P@VM1.CC.NPS.NAVY.MIL
Sat, 30 Aug 97 06:09:02 PDT

Just observed gorgeous pass of the GPS 2R-2 Delta 2 R/B (24877 97-035B)
currently making perigee passes over the US, centered around lat. 37.
I thought strong twilight (sun 6 deg below horizon) might wash it out,
but no problem using 1 power.

Passed 88 deg overhead 30 Aug 13:04:26 UT (06:04:26 local)
Range: 129 statue miles (207km)
Magnitude: Steady, about same brightness as Capella (mag 0)

Perigee occured less than two minutes prior to overhead pass. For
those of you familiar with Quicksat's EW value, this pass's EW was
6.4 at culmination.  Very, very fast.

Here's the pass in Quicksat format:
***  1997 Aug  30  Sat morning  *** Times are AM PDT  ***  2027  548
 H  M  S  Tim Al Azi C Dir  Dys F  Hgt Shd  Rng  EW Phs
 6  3 33   .1 25 281     8    2 0  126  58  282 1.5  31
 6  3 51   .1 36 282     0    2 0  127  73  211 2.5  38
 6  4  9   .1 56 283     2    2 0  127  86  153 4.6  54
 6  4 26   .1 88   0 C  80    2 0  128  98  129 6.4  83
 6  4 44   .1 57  98   178    2 0  130 108  154 4.5 113
 6  5  2   .1 37  99   180    2 0  131 116  213 2.5 129

Next perigee pass over US is Sunday morning.  Shadow exit will be
over southern Missouri at 37N 91W, approx 1031 UT (5:31 CDT).

GPS 2R-2 Delta R
1 24877U 97035B   97240.60032549  .00208898  37441-5  47060-3 0   588
2 24877  37.6830 317.4723 0742842  78.7035 289.6179 14.50880830  5263

 Craig Cholar    3432P@VM1.CC.NPS.NAVY.MIL
 Marina, California
 36 41 10.3N,  121 48 17.9W    (36.6862, -121.8050)      UTC -7