Iridium Next flare

From: Chris Peat via Seesat-l <seesat-l_at_satobs.org>
Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2018 11:36:45 +0200
Hi all,

I would like to try and generate predictions based on some assumptions about
the Iridium Next satellites. I would make these available on Heavens-Above
so we can get more feedback and see if the assumptions are correct. 

I intend to make predictions for flares for these cases;

1. Flares produced by flat bottom service of spacecraft body, assuming it is
perpendicular to the local vertical.

2. Flares produced by the solar arrays, assuming they are always oriented
perpendicular to the Sun vector. This also assumes the arrays have two
rotational degrees of freedom, which is not 100% clear from online images I
have been able to find.

3. Flares produced by the solar arrays, assuming they have only one
rotational degree of freedom (pitch), and that the body of the satellite is
maintained along the velocity vector.

Perhaps someone from Iridium could comment on these assumptions?

It would also help if Kevin could let us know the coordinates where he made
the observation, and if the time shown on the video is local or UTC.

Chris Peat
Heavens-Above.com



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Received on Thu Jul 05 2018 - 04:37:23 UTC

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