STSS Demo - search elements for Sep 24 launch

From: Ted Molczan (ssl3molcz@rogers.com)
Date: Wed Sep 23 2009 - 15:29:03 UTC

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    The STSS Demo satellites are scheduled for launch on 2009 Sep 24, between 12:00
    UTC and 13:00 UTC, from Cape Canaveral, aboard a Delta 2 rocket.
    
    Here are approximate elements, based on launch at window-open.
    
    The parking orbit is valid until T+42m30s:
    
    Parking orbit                                           185 X 1537 km
    1 77001U          09267.50731830  .00000000  00000-0  00000-0 0    09
    2 77001  54.6000  85.4138 0933762  36.2000  18.3000 14.09479000    08
    
    Payload 1                                              1346 X 1352 km
    1 77004U          09267.53320604  .00000000  00000-0  00000-0 0    08
    2 77004  58.0000  84.9539 0003600 216.2526 335.5000 12.77975000    08
    
    Payload 2                                              1339 X 1350 km
    1 77005U          09267.53835649  .00000000  00000-0  00000-0 0    09
    2 77005  58.0000  84.9400 0007193 216.2579 359.0000 12.79123000    03
    
    Payload numbers are in order of separation from the 2nd stage.
    
    RAANs are accurate to 1 deg, at best. Argument of perigee of the payload orbits
    is a guess. 
    
    They are intended to orbit in formation, separated by a central angle of 35 deg,
    or about 11 min of time.	My guess of std magnitude is 6 to 7 (1000 km, 90
    deg phase angle).
    
    So far, I have been unable to make a satisfactory estimate of the 2nd stage's
    final orbit, and am unlikely to make further efforts pre-launch. Considering the
    brief duration of the depletion burn, my guess is that relative the orbit of
    Payload 2, the 2nd stage's perigee may be reduced by hundreds of km, and its
    inclination changed by one or two degrees.
    
    Southern hemisphere observers near 30 S, would have all night visibility of the
    above orbits.
    
    Ted Molczan
    
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