Decay watch postscript: Mir VDU
Alan Pickup (alan@wingar.demon.co.uk)
Thu, 3 Dec 1998 22:53:37 +0000
I have already commented on the final elset for the Molniya 3-11 decay,
but the last one for the Mir VDU did not appear until around 16h UTC
today (Dec 3), some 19 hours after its probable decay. It is:
Mir VDU 4.0 0.0 0.0 6.5 d 133 x 128 km
1 25294U 86017MQ 98336.83086279 .28283799 12759-4 18959-3 0 2732
2 25294 51.6202 250.0336 0003700 258.6288 112.4371 16.53249046 37131
I also note that USSPACECOM/OIG have yet to announce this as "Decayed".
I believe this is the elset for the beginning of its final orbit, though
the drag looks a factor of almost two too low. I put decay on the
approach to the following northbound equator crossing, possible at about
21:15 UTC (December 2.89) over the south central Pacific Ocean, a few
minutes after passing over Christchurch, New Zealand, at 21:06 UTC.
Alan
--
Alan Pickup | COSPAR 2707: 55d53m48.7s N 3d11m51.2s W 156m asl
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