SPACEWARN Bulletin Number 463

SPACEWARN Activities

A. List of New International Designations and Launch Dates.

1992-028A (21967) SROSS 3       May 20   1992-025A (21953) Cosmos 2185    Apr 29
     027A (21964) PALAPA B-4    May 14        024A (21951) RESURS F-14    Apr 29
     026A (21963) STS 49        May 07        023A (21949) USA 81         Apr 25

B. Text of Launch Announcements.

1992-028A

SROSS 3, an Indian remote sensing spacecraft was launched by an ASLV booster from Sriharikota in India. It also carries an RPA for plasma measurement and another instrument for detecting gamma-ray bursts. Initial orbital parameters are: period 91 min, apogee 429 km, perigee 255 km, and inclination 46.03 deg.

1992-027A

PALAPA B-4, an Indonesian communications spacecraft was launched by a Delta rocket. Initial orbital parameters are: period 703 min, apogee 36819 km, perigee 2808 km, and inclination 22.6 deg.

1992-026A

STS 49, U.S.A.'s space shuttle Endeavor was launched from Cape Canaveral. Initial orbital parameters are: period 91.9 min, apogee 375 km, perigee 363 km, and inclination 28.3 deg.

1992-025A

Cosmos 2185, a C.I.S spacecraft was launched by a SOYUZ carrier rocket from Baykonur station. Initial orbital parameters are: period 89.4 min, apogee 314 km, perigee 205 km, and inclination 70 deg.

1992-024A

RESURS F-14, a C.I.S remote sensing spacecraft was launched by a SOYUZ vehicle from Plesetsk cosmodrome. Initial orbital parameters are: period 88.8 min, apogee 274 km, perigee 196 km, and inclination 82.3 deg. Upon completion of the mission, the exposed film will be handed over to the PRIRODA center for processing and distribution to customers.

1992-023A

U.S.A. 81, a USA spacecraft was launched. Orbital parameters are unavailable.

C. Spacecraft Particularly Suited for International Participation

Category I

1. Spacecraft with essentially continuous radio beacons on frequencies less than 150 MHz, or higher frequencies if especially suited for ionospheric or geodetic studies. To see a list select here.

2. Global Positioning System satellites useful for navigational purposes and geodetic studies. To see a list select here.

3. Satellites useful for simultaneous observation programs with small cameras; and for gravitational and atmospheric studies. (* indicates updated information since the last issue. The magnitude is an approximation; it assumes 75% illumination of the satellite and 900 km range. SPACEWARN would appreciate suggestions to update this list.)

   Due to budgetary constraints, this category has not been listed.

4. Satellite objects that are nearing their decay into the atmosphere. (Orbital observations of these objects during the decaying phase are useful for atmospheric studies. Note: For maneuverable spacecraft the prediction may be invalid.)

   Due to budgetary constraints, this category has not been listed.

5. Actual decays/landings of payload spacecraft and rocket bodies (R/B) only. Additional information is not available.

   Designations          National Name 1992
   1990-015B (20497)     USA 52        May 24
   1992-026A (21963)     STS 49 landed May 16
   1988-113A (21950)     COSMOS 1985   May 04
   
   

D. Launching Reports and Updated Information.

Due to budgetary constraints, reports on future launches are not included.

Update: In section B of SPACEWARN Bulletin Number 461, 1992-011A should be corrected to read as Molniya 1-83.

Questions/comments about the content of these pages should be directed to: The World Warning Agency for Satellites, wwas@nssdca.gsfc.nasa.gov National Space Science Data Center, Mail Code 633 NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771

NASA Official: J. H. King, joe.king@gsfc.nasa.gov
Last updated: 23 May 1995, EVB II