Re: Resurs and Zenit rocket observed

Craig Cholar (3432P@VM1.CC.NPS.NAVY.MIL)
Sat, 11 Jul 98 18:05:18 PDT

There's quite an international flavor to the recent Zenit launch;
Here's a rundown of the microsats aboard...

Chile            FASAT-Bravo     35x35x60cm     13x13x23in
Germany          SAFIR-2         45x45x45cm     23x23x23in
Belgium/Holland  IRIS-1
Israel           TechSAT-2
Thailand         TMSAT

The ones I couldn't find dimensions for are probably also quite small,
so they all will likely be a bit difficult to observe.  Definitely
not the kind you can see without optical aid.

Some reports I've read on the web say that the IRIS-1 satellite is
attached to Resurs-O.  It was unclear whether they meant _permanently_
attached.  If so, it might explain why OIG hasn't published an elset
for the 'D' object (25397, 98-43D); just a guess.  As I write this,
OIG is naming the B, C, E, and F objects as 'UNK', and the rocket (25400)
is now 98-43G.  By the way, this nomenclature disagrees with a few
previous posts that assigned the rocket to the 'F' object.

A few gleanings from the web, related to the above satellites...
http://www.aeroworld.net/1in06228.htm
http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Research/CSER/UOSAT/missions/tmsat/info/index.html
http://tele-satellit.com/tse/online/prog_safir.html
http://www.saitrh.com/press/pr980710e.asp
http://www.technion.ac.il/pub/projects/techsat/
http://www.fach.cl/sabravo.html (Spanish)

Having been satellite-deprived for too long, please forgive a personal
rant...

For the past 11 days and nights, persistent coastal fog, normal for
summer along the California coastline, has been wiping out the
sky with annoying regularity around Monterey bay.  I actually saw
the sun today, so maybe that's a good omen.  Of course, it _would_
clear just in time for a practically full moon.  Nevertheless, I'll
take what I can get.  Wish me luck!

Craig Cholar   3432p@vm1.cc.nps.navy.mil