Hi all,
For those interested: I have just written a blog post outlining what I expect to
be the character and potential time-line of changes to the KH-11/Enhanced
CRYSTAL ("Keyhole") constellation, following the recent launch of USA 245
(NROL-65) last August 28:
http://sattrackcam.blogspot.nl/2013/09/on-usa-245-and-usa-129-and-future-of.html
Basically, I expect USA 186 (2005-042A) to significantly manoeuvre in late
winter/early spring, i.e. early 2014, lowering its apogee and eventually taking
up an orbital plane some 5-15 degrees west of USA 245 and where it currently is.
It will take up a new role as secondary rather than primary West plane KH-11, in
an extended mission.
USA 129 (1996-072A), the current, highly aged West plane secondary, likely will
be de-orbited around that time (this winter or spring, or maybe even this autumn).
The scenario is largely based on the behaviour of USA 161 (2001-044A) after the
launch of USA 224 (2011-002A) in 2011, and the character of past KH-11
constellation configurations.
More details in the blog post.
Caveat: of course, I could all be wrong....my scenario is an informed guess at
best, assuming past patterns repeat. Which they may not, of course.
If I am correct though, it means we should keep a close tracking eye on USA 129
and USA 186 the coming 6-7 months. Some of us will remember the epic September
hunt for USA 161 after the major manoeuvre it made late August 2011...
- Marco
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Dr Marco Langbroek - SatTrackCam Leiden, the Netherlands.
e-mail: sattrackcam@langbroek.org
Cospar 4353 (Leiden): 52.15412 N, 4.49081 E (WGS84), +0 m ASL
Cospar 4354 (De Wilck): 52.11685 N, 4.56016 E (WGS84), -2 m ASL
Station (b)log: http://sattrackcam.blogspot.com
Twitter: @Marco_Langbroek
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