NRO "Trumpet" visibilty

• Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
• Next message: Dave Mullenix: "Mir Marathon"
• Previous message: Vuorela Arto: "Finnish decayer a meteorite"
• Next in thread: Tony Beresford: "Re: NRO "Trumpet" visibilty"

This is the first time I have posted the same message to three different
mail lists, but I think it is relevant to each.

The latest Aviation Week speculates about the upcoming launch of the
National Reconnaissance Office "Trumpet" satellite into a Molniya-type
orbit.  What is fascinating about this is the possibility that this
satellite might sport a 300-foot diameter sigint antenna.  Does anyone have
any analysis on the visibility of such a structure?  It seems to me that
this monster could provide some real opportunities for routine binocular
viewing of an object at 20,000+ mile distances as well as some intersting
photo opportunities as it loops around the apogee of its eliptical orbit.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Robert Reeves                Home page http://www.connecti.com/~rreeves
520 Rittiman Rd.             Email     rreeves@connecti.com
San Antonio, Texas  78209    Phone     210-828-9036
                             Location 29.484N  98.440W  200 meters

• Next message: Dave Mullenix: "Mir Marathon"
• Previous message: Vuorela Arto: "Finnish decayer a meteorite"
• Next in thread: Tony Beresford: "Re: NRO "Trumpet" visibilty"