X-37B OTV 2-1 search elements

From: Ted Molczan (ssl3molcz@rogers.com)
Date: Thu Mar 03 2011 - 01:47:31 UTC

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    X-37B OTV 2-1 is scheduled for launch from Cape Canaveral on an Atlas V-501, on 2011 Mar 04, between 20:39 UTC and 22:39 UTC.
    
    The following search elements are based on the initial orbit of OTV 1-1, for launch at the start, middle and end of the launch
    period.
    
    T0=20:39 UTC                                             400 X 423 km
    1 70401U          11063.90802626  .00000000  00000-0  00000-0 0    09
    2 70401  39.9849 259.3037 0016616 341.1195  18.8998 15.52662485    06
    
    T0=21:39 UTC                                             400 X 423 km
    1 70402U          11063.94969293  .00000000  00000-0  00000-0 0    08
    2 70402  39.9849 274.3448 0016616 341.1195  18.8998 15.52662485    00
    
    T0=22:39 UTC                                             400 X 423 km
    1 70403U          11063.99135959  .00000000  00000-0  00000-0 0    08
    2 70403  39.9849 289.3858 0016616 341.1195  18.8998 15.52662485    02
    
    The launch vehicle has considerable excess performance for this payload, so the actual orbit could be quite different, more likely
    in altitude than in inclination, I suspect.
    
    I have not made an exhaustive evaluation of visibility windows, but it appears that only the southern hemisphere will have initial
    visibility; specifically the 70402 and 70403 elsets reveal morning visibility.
    
    The OTV's standard visual magnitude is 4.2 (1000 km range, 90 deg phase angle).
    
    Ted Molczan
    
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