Re: NROL-41 - search elements for actual launch time

From: Phil Karn (karn@philkarn.net)
Date: Tue Sep 21 2010 - 20:15:26 UTC

  • Next message: Marco Langbroek: "SATOBS ML (4353), 21 Sep 2010: USA 129"

    On 9/20/10 10:15 PM, Ted Molczan wrote:
    > Phil Karn wrote:
    > 
    >> I was a little surprised by the 32-minute unplanned hold due to the
    >> vehicle near the launch sites. Don't polar launches usually have very
    >> narrow launch windows of no more than a few minutes?
    >>
    >> Does this suggest that the launch might have been into a lower
    >> inclination orbit, one with a wider launch window?
    > 
    > The NOTAMs clearly indicate a 123 deg inclination - the retrograde version of the lower of the two
    > Lacrosse inclinations, i.e. 180 - 57 = 123 deg.
    
    Yet the launch visualization (the computer graphic shown after the live
    video has become uninteresting) seems to show the launcher flying south
    past the Channel Islands. By eye it seems to be flying just west of San
    Miguel Island, consistent with a classic sun-synch orbit.
    
    Unless, of course, the graphic was simply made up.
    
    Phil
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