For those wanting to try to see the Japanese HTV 9 cargoship tonight: if the HTV 9 follows the pattern of previous HTV missions, I expect a manoeuvre to a higher orbital altitude at about 19:05 UT today. If this indeed is the case, this should be an approximate post-manoeuvre orbit: HTV 9 prognosis for 23 May post 19:05 UT 1 75607U 20030A 20144.79513889 0.00000000 00000-0 00000+0 0 00 2 75607 51.6684 109.3164 0014817 300.4883 146.4146 15.65779046 07 Note that observers in Russia and southeast Europe could perhaps see something of the orbit raising burn. This is all under the condition that HTV 9 follows the pattern of previous HTV missions (particularly HTV 7 which I chose as an analogue, as so far their orbits are close). For NW European observers: this orbit would mean HTV 9 would pass 1.5 minutes later compared to the pre-manoeuvre orbit during the first pass in twilight, and some 3.5 minutes later during the midnight pass. Of course, the reality could be quite different, so start to look around the predicted times for the pre-manoeuvre orbit (in case it hasn't manoeuvered at all) and continue well past the predictions based on this new elset if nothing shows up. The Netherlands currently has clear skies. - Marco ----- Dr Marco Langbroek - SatTrackCam Leiden, the Netherlands. e-mail: sattrackcam_at_langbroek.org Station (b)log: http://sattrackcam.blogspot.com Twitter: _at_Marco_Langbroek ----- _______________________________________________ Seesat-l mailing list http://mailman.satobs.org/mailman/listinfo/seesat-lReceived on Sat May 23 2020 - 11:51:39 UTC
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