The first visual observations USA 193 (aka NROL-21 / 06057A / 26951) have been reported by Russell Eberst: http://satobs.org/seesat/Dec-2006/0155.html Here is an excerpt: SATOBS 2420 0612 0.211 1204 16 0605701 062446.08 101426+430403 2.4 2.4 0 S 0605701 062523.33 143057+553803 2.8 2.8 0 S 999 Note: 0605701: object assumed to be payload rather than part of delta rocket. I agree with Russell's assumption that he observed the payload, because its close to the planned orbit, and I expect that the rocket's inclination and eccentricity to be quite a bit different due to its propellant depletion burn. USA 193 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.8 v 1 29651U 06057A 06350.25405986 .00011325 00000-0 10000-3 0 03 2 29651 58.4865 114.2852 0013244 81.7541 278.5044 15.68046894 05 WRMS error = 0.026 deg The orbit is inclined at 58.49 deg; its period is 91.83 min, its dimensions are 355 km x 373 km. The ground track nearly repeats every 2 days (30.92 revs), enabling frequent revisit of observational targets of interest. The first four Lacrosses behaved similarly (28.9 revs in 2 days). Lacrosse 5 makes 43.05 revs in 3 days. Keyholes nearly repeat every 4 days; NOSS every 4 days. Ted Molczan ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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