The STSS Demo satellites are scheduled for launch on 2009 Sep 25, 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 09268.50731830 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 00
2 77001 54.6000 86.3994 0933762 36.2000 18.3000 14.09479000 08
Payload 1 1346 X 1352 km
1 77004U 09268.53320604 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 09
2 77004 58.0000 85.9395 0003600 216.2526 335.5000 12.77975000 09
Payload 2 1339 X 1350 km
1 77005U 09268.53835649 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 00
2 77005 58.0000 85.9256 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).
Here are a couple of rough guesses for the final orbit of the Delta II's 2nd
stage, for inclination changes of minus and plus 2 deg:
179 X 1350 km
1 77007U 09268.57986112 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 08
2 77007 56.0000 83.3325 0820000 206.4000 204.0000 14.38000000 02
179 X 1351 km
1 77008U 09268.57986113 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 00
2 77008 60.0000 88.1412 0820000 203.8000 204.0000 14.38000000 09
Southern hemisphere observers near 30 S, would have all night visibility of the
above orbits.
Ted Molczan
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