Well well , this could get a bit embarassing couldn't it. I reckon its USA 193 Daniel , although I could be wrong ( usually am ! ) I imaged the satellite last September and again a few weeks ago at 500 power. The first time I saw it ( Range 340 km ) I reckoned that I should have seen the solar arrays ( assuming it had conventional panels) http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/satcom_transits/USA193Sepbw1.jpg ( Note I have added the panels in this image ) ....but there was no sign. http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/satcom_transits/USA193Sepbw.jpg (Actual image ) I assumed from that they were never deployed as contact was lost very soon after launch. Estimated size of object was 4 - 5 metres or so. In December I caught a high elevation morning pass. http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/satcom_transits/193bw.jpg This time the range was down to a little over 300 km ( Actual orbit height 295 km ) Notice again , no sign of solar panels. Of course the array could have been in shadow , but I suspect it just isnt there , having failed to deploy. In December I commented that 193 could well re enter within a few months.....but I suspected the DoD might intervene and "remove" it ! After the uproar over China's destruction of Fenguin 1C would the USA really risk destroying another satellite in orbit .... even at a much lower and in theory safer altitude? John ----- Original Message ----- From: "daniel crawford" <djcunix@gmail.com> To: <seesat-l@satobs.org> Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2008 9:12 PM Subject: News reports on 'spy satellite' deorbit > http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/01/26/national/w122451S43.DTL&type=politics > > I have seen a few reports on the net about a satellite that is now out > of control and will probably re-enter in the next month or so. > > Do we know which satellite this is? It would be interesting to keep > an eye on it. > > Daniel > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: > http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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