MDS 1 launch objects

From: Michael McCants (mmccants@jump.net)
Date: Tue Jun 04 2002 - 12:46:44 EDT


The uncataloged object 90012 was a few seconds early last night.
The flash period was measured as 8.07 seconds.  Revised elset:

1 90012U          02155.10633102 0.00005000  00000-0  74465-2 0    07
2 90012  28.3079 168.3618 7250958 247.2315 112.7683  2.26554420    04

An "identical" object flashing every 8 seconds was found in the
"C" orbit.  Its flash period was measured as 8.03 seconds.

1 27369U 02003C   02153.26820004 +.00005059 +00000-0 +98581-2 0 00741
2 27369  28.3522 168.9092 7234290 246.3552  26.0714 02.27534731002680

I assume that these are the two payload fairing panels.  They were
observed near my zenith near apogee at a range of about 22000 miles.

A very interesting object was found in the "B" orbit:

1 27368U 02003B   02154.22212506  .00002469  00000-0  47613-2 0   796
2 27368  28.3607 168.6057 7239028 246.8135  25.8248  2.27057631  2708

This object exhibited flashes to about magnitude 8.5 and tumbles to
about magnitude 10.5.  It was often visible for many seconds at about
magnitude 11.5.  It was observed high in the west at a range of about
13000 miles.  A magnitude of 11.5 would correspond to a Quicksat (full
phase) intrinsic magnitude of about 4.5.  Flash timings often gave
values of 12 seconds and 24 seconds, but occasional values of 6 and
9 seconds were also measured.  The nominal spin rate for the MDS 1
payload is 12 seconds, so it is certainly possible that this object
is that payload.

No object was seen in the "A" orbit (very near 90012) at 22000 miles.

It would seem that the H2-A rocket is not currently cataloged.

Since the mean motions differ from 24 hours by about 3 hours, there
will be chances to see these objects at smaller ranges.

Mike McCants
Austin, TX

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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Tue Jun 25 2002 - 20:50:33 EDT