Re: News reports on 'spy satellite' deorbit

From: John Locker (john@satcom.freeserve.co.uk)
Date: Sat Jan 26 2008 - 22:19:18 UTC

  • Next message: Allen Thomson: "Re: News reports on 'spy satellite' deorbit"

    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
    >
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