Re: Another out of control comsat?

Brian Hunter (bkh@chem.QueensU.CA)
Fri, 12 Mar 1999 09:35:58 -0500

I have observed this object several times over the past two months.   I had
convinced myself that it was out of position.  I usually find Geosynchronous
objects by plotting their position in a star field and following a star
until it 'catches up' with the satellite.  In the case of GE-3 it was always
almost exactly one minute early; that it to say, east of where it was
supposed to be.  Of course, I could have been seeing another object and made
serveral attempts to find the real GE-3 or identify another nearby object.
In fact, about two weeks ago, a new elset put GE-3 right where I was seeing
it.

This raises three possibilities:  they may be moving it or, in the process
of moving it, lost control or, it simply failed.

If the snow clears, I'll have a look for it.

BKH


-----Original Message-----
From: Philip Chien <kc4yer@amsat.org>
To: SeeSat-L@blackadder.lmsal.com <SeeSat-L@blackadder.lmsal.com>
Date: Friday, March 12, 1999 7:19 AM
Subject: Another out of control comsat?


>I'd appreciate it if somebody could take a look at GE-3 (24936   97 50A).
>It's located at 87 West.  I watched programming on it last night, but this
>morning there's nothing being broadcast on any channel and I found at least
>one broadcaster transmitting on another satellite.
>
>This satellite is fairly recent so if it has failed or gone out of control
>it's a pretty early failure.  It's a Lockheed Martin A2100 bus and I can
>look up the dimensions for the satellite and solar panels if that
>information is of use.
>
>If it is out of control we may have another potential flasher on our hands
>folks!
>
>
>
>Philip Chien, KC4YER
>Earth News
>world (in)famous writer, science fiction fan, ham radio operator,
>all-around nice guy, etc.
>
>
>