Falcon 1 launch search elements

From: Ted Molczan (seesat@rogers.com)
Date: Thu Nov 24 2005 - 19:13:12 EST

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    I estimate the following orbital elements, assuming launch on 2005 Nov 25 at the
    start of the 4 h window, 21:00 UTC:
    
    Falconsat 2 r    3.4  1.7  0.0  6.6 d
    1 72050U          05329.87777778  .00000000  00000-0  00000-0 0    04
    2 72050  39.0000 177.3800 0073000  70.0000 305.0000 15.39500000    02
    
    I estimate the 2nd stage will reach about magnitude 4 on a good pass. Its tiny
    Falconsat 2 payload (a 35.6 cm cube) will be difficult to observe even with
    large binoculars.
    
    According to a post on the USENET, the 2nd stage will make a test burn sometime
    after payload separation.
    
    The orbit crosses the U.S. west coast about 22 min after launch, near 39 N. It
    crosses the east coast 9 min later, near 33 N.
    
    A launch delay of about 90 min would result in a pass during evening twilight
    for the east coast. Greater delays would move evening visibility westward.
    
    Ted Molczan
    
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