New Titan 4 elsets. New observation. Possible manoeuvre.

Ted Molczan (molczan@fox.nstn.ca)
Fri, 5 Jul 1996 18:36:59 -0400

I have received slightly revised elsets from Rainer Kracht, and an
observation report from Igor Lissov, in Moscow. I note that he found 
the payload running late. Relative to Rainer Kracht's latest elset, it was 
about 38 s late. This may mean that a manoeuvre has been made. 
Further obs will be required to confirm this, and determine its size.

Rainer's latest elements:
-----------------------------

96038A          10.0  3.0  0.0  5.0
1 23942U 96038  A 96187.00000000  .00229888  00000-0  73137-3 0    01
2 23942  55.0040 177.9172 0011345 323.2701 233.9936 15.90362911    04
96038A r         9.8  3.0  0.0  5.0
1 23943U 96038  B 96187.00000000  .00366614  00000-0  10362-2 0    01
2 23943  54.9884 177.9302 0011116 300.2390 268.8210 15.92650952    08

Igor Lissov's obs:
---------------------

Both rocket body and payload of July 3 Titan 4 were observed again
between 20:35 and 20:42 UTC in Moscow, Russia.

Start of report:

05-Jul-96

1st object, 3 second flashes to 0..+1 mag in maximum
Passed 1..1.5 deg E of 25 Boo at 20:35:30 UTC
Passed N of Vega at 20:36:15 UTC - 2 seconds late

Elements used:
96038A r         9.8  3.0  0.0  5.0
1 23943U 96038  B 96186.22381250  .00120000  00000-0  34213-3 0    02
2 23943  55.0000 181.5000 0000001   0.0000  76.7000 15.92600000    02

2nd object, rapid oscillations in brightness (+1..+3 mag, < 1 second)
Passed 1..1.5 deg E of 25 Boo at 20:41:00 UTC
Passed < 0.5 deg N of Vega at 20:41:47 UTC - 45 seconds late (!)

Elements used:
96038A          10.0  3.0  0.0  5.0
1 23942U 96038  A 96186.22495718  .00000000  00000-0  00000-0 0    07
2 23942  55.0000 181.5000 0000001   0.0000  76.9000 15.90750000    07

Observing location 55.635N  37.474E   elev approx 250 m
Time accuracy 1-2 seconds. Position accuracy 1 degree. Magnitudes with
large uncertainty.

End of report