Kosmos 2053

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For those interested in flashing satellites.  Yesterday, June 12, I found
Kosmos 2053/1989-100A/20389 to be flashing with approximately 30s.(only a
guess because no stopwatch)  The satellite wich remained steady for a while
became much brighter untill it reached magnitude +2.  Several specular
flashes were visible around that maximum.  After +-30s the same process was
repeated.

Kosmos 2053 is a so called radar callibration satellite which released from
time to time 10cm diameter dummy warheads.  It was originally in a
518/536/73.6=B0 orbit which has already decayed to approximately 370km.  A
rough guess is that it will remain in orbit for another year untill it burns
up in the atmosphere.

I hope to see it again this evening to make an accurate measurement.

I also saw the new Noss triplet this evening.  It seems that things are
operational now.

Greetings,
Tristan Cools
tcools@nic.INbe.net
51.13N  3.16E

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