USA 129 (96072A / 24680) manoeuvred sometime between Alberto Rango's observation of 2003 Jun 04 at 20:06 UTC and mine of Jun 06 at 02:51 UTC. The orbit is well placed for evening searchers at mid-northern latitudes. Assuming this was the expected simple reboost, involving a short burn at a perigee-crossing, then the following search elements should bracket the possible new orbits: USA 129 15.0 3.0 0.0 5.3 v 1 70002U 03155.90557870 .00031951 00000-0 35000-3 0 07 2 70002 97.8269 219.1711 0491800 45.4990 0.0000 14.84320000 09 1 70003U 03155.97290509 .00031955 00000-0 35000-3 0 02 2 70003 97.8269 219.2376 0492000 45.2773 0.0000 14.84280000 03 1 70012U 03156.57877315 .00031766 00000-0 35000-3 0 05 2 70012 97.8269 219.8360 0497500 43.2825 0.0000 14.83000000 07 1 70015U 03156.78071759 .00031470 00000-0 35000-3 0 01 2 70015 97.8269 220.0354 0504200 42.6176 0.0000 14.81400000 07 1 70018U 03156.98267361 .00030630 00000-0 35000-3 0 09 2 70018 97.8269 220.2349 0529500 41.9527 0.0000 14.75500000 02 The object is unlikely to be earlier than elset 70002 and is unlikely to be later than elset 70018. Searchers should plot at least those two elsets, to ensure that they look in the correct part of the sky. Earth's rotation will cause a large difference between the 70002 and 70018 tracks, especially on high-elevation passes, so plotting the intermediate elsets (70003, 70012 and 70015) will provide useful interpolation between the extremes. My sky became overcast within the past hour, and I am doubtful that it will clear in time for my pass. Ted Molczan ----------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from SeeSat-L, send a message with 'unsubscribe' in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@satobs.org List archived at http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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