Re: Possible observation of USA 116

From: Bjoern Gimle (b_gimle@algonet.se)
Date: Thu Jan 18 2001 - 13:09:03 PST

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    Premature congratulations!
    
    I find no real alternative in satbase.zip, if you estimated the direction
    (and speed) of motion to be similar to to USA 116's. Within 6000 km range,
    +-3 min, +- 2 deg, mag +10 there is none, except - by coincidence - the
    latest known elset for USA 116, just 40 seconds (+8 orbits or so) behind.
    Because of its lower orbit, it wouldn't have exited Earth shadow at the
    place of your obs, and it would be 1.3 degrees further east.
    
    With 20% error in drag, my estimate would be +- 30 minutes, but the
    operational requirements on MM and i in relation to USA 129 are not known
    accurately enough, so I would estimate another +- 30 min because of MM.
    
    So we need another observation to know if the orbit is close, or must be
    adjusted by about +- 0.016 in MM.
    
    It could also be some other classified satellite, or debris.
    
    -- bjorn.gimle@tietotech.se (office)                         --
    -- b_gimle@algonet.se (home)  http://www.algonet.se/~b_gimle --
    -- COSPAR 5919, MALMA,    59.2576 N, 18.6172 E, 23 m         --
    -- COSPAR 5918, HAMMARBY, 59.2985 N, 18.1045 E, 44 m         --
    
    >
    > I've observed what I believe may be USA 116. It's late here, so this is
    just
    > a quick report. I'll follow-up with more details and the position in IOD
    > format soon.
    >
    > 18 Jan 2001 15h 13m 02.6s UT
    > RA 21.199 DEC -80.527 J2000.0
    > magnitude +7
    >
    > Closest match is to the #70061 search element posted by Bjoern Gimle on
    Dec.
    > 18. Running parallel, ~1 min early and ~0.5 degrees to the east.
    
    
    
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