Flashing Geosat R/B

From: Jeremy Ollerenshaw via Seesat-l <seesat-l_at_satobs.org>
Date: Sun, 2 Oct 2016 17:42:53 -0400
Photographing geosats this weekend and came across a regular flashing 
object identified as a NORAD 33491 which looks to be a R/B from a Delta 
IV Heavy launch in 2009. The object is in the high orbit around 
36-38,000km. The flash period is very regular at ~8.2 minutes with a 
brightness low estimated as mag <10.5, brightening to around mag 6.2 or 
brighter. Flashing was easily monitored at object phase angles of 
between 36-65 deg but could not be observed at phase angles between 
30-36 deg or between 65-78 deg, these being the conditions in which 
observations were made.

I'd be interested if anyone had any information regarding flashing in 
33491 or occurrences of flashing/tumbling in similar R/Bs from Delta IV 
missions, and on the influence of phase angle on monitoring flashing 
orbiting objects.

Regards,
Jeremy Ollerenshaw
Atlanta, USA
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Received on Sun Oct 02 2016 - 16:43:38 UTC

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