RE: ATV 1 pre-launch elements

From: Ted Molczan (ssl3molcz@rogers.com)
Date: Thu Mar 06 2008 - 22:21:08 UTC

  • Next message: Alberto Rango: "4542 PPAS 6 - 7 FEB 2008."

    I have revised the elements and related information, in reasonable conformance
    with information found in the press-kit issued by Eads:
    
    http://www.astrium.eads.net/press-center/launch-kits/2008/vol-181-ariane-5-es-at
    v-2013-charge-utile-atv-automated-transfer-vehicle 
    
    The launch timeline is on pp. 31-32. AOS/LOS/Culmination circumstances for the
    first two passes of Les Mureaux, are on pg. 15. I had some difficulty with that
    information, until I discovered a typo in the longitude provided for Les
    Mureaux; it should be 01°54'32" E, not 04°54'32" E. The ground track maps also
    are useful.
    
    The following elements are based on launch on 2008 Mar 09, at 04:03:04 UTC. 
    
    I estimate prediction time accuracy is within about 15 s, for the first three
    hours after launch. Track errors of a couple of degrees may occur on high
    elevation passes.
    
    The initial orbit is valid from approximately 04:20 to 05:05 UTC:
    
    ATV/ESC         14.5  5.0  0.0  3.0 v                    144 X 257 km
    1 71700U          08069.18379630  .00000000  00000-0  00000-0 0    08
    2 71700  51.6400 172.9000 0086000  57.5000  14.4000 16.27300000    01
    
    While in the initial orbit, ATV will remain attached to the Ariane 5's ESC upper
    stage, resulting in a stack about 14.5 m long, and mean diameter of about 5 m.
    Estimated standard visual magnitude is about 3 (1000 km range, 90 deg
    phase-angle).
    
    The circularized orbit is valid beginning shortly after about 05:05:30 UTC:
    
    ATV 1            9.8  4.5  0.0  3.5 v                    256 X 269 km
    1 71700U          08069.21499537  .00000000  00000-0  00000-0 0    01
    2 71700  51.6400 172.7000 0010000 252.0000   2.6000 16.04440000    07
    
    The 4.7 m x 5.4 m upper stage will be in a similar orbit, until its de-orbit
    burn, at 06:27:31 UTC, just west of Australia.
    
    Visibility from Europe
    
    On its first pass over Europe, the ATV/ESC stack is predicted to exit eclipse at
    04:26:30 UTC, about 153 km above 50.7 N, 12.7 E, as it approaches Eastern
    Europe.
    
    One rev later, at about 5:57 UTC, ATV and its ESC stage (now separated) will
    pass over the U.K., at about 51.5 N latitude, at an altitude of about 275 km.
    This will be near the start of civil twilight.
    
    Ted Molczan
    
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