Bob Christy's radio observations now total 5 passes spanning 15 revs, ending early Jan 22, near
00:23 UTC.
The larger data set leads me to this approximate solution:
251 X 994 km
1 72001U 11020.92423333 .00008569 00000-0 70000-4 0 05
2 72001 97.9000 135.1447 0530280 257.4692 96.4311 14.81221067 01
At least until successive solutions shows signs of convergence, they should be treated with
suspicion - expect large time and track errors.
This one is far removed in argument of perigee from the earlier ones. It happens to be close to the
argument of perigee of the spacecraft that USA 224 (11002A / 37348) will replace, USA 161 (01044A /
26934), so it seems reasonable for it to closely match its orientation elements.
That did not always happen on previous KH launches, but those employed the Titan 4, the final stage
of which could not be restarted. The restartability of Delta 4 Heavy's final stage offers much
greater flexibility in argument of perigee - what cannot be achieved by direct insertion, can be
achieved by inserting into a parking orbit at the intended perigee altitude, coasting to the
required latitude of perigee, and then firing again to raise the apogee.
I expect to be unavailable from approximately 16:00 UTC until perhaps 03:00 UTC.
Ted Molczan
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