SPX-454 AUGUST 27, 1991 SPACEWARN Activities (All information in this publication was received between July 25 and August 26, 1991.) A. List of New International Designations and Launch Dates. (HQ USSPACECOM Catalog numbers are in parentheses.) 1991-060A (21668) BS-3B Aug 25 1991-055A (21653) INTELSAT 6 F-5 Aug 14 059A (21666) COSMOS 2154 Aug 22 054B (21639) TDRS-F5 Aug 2 058A (21664) RESURS-F13 Aug 21 054A (21638) STS-43 Aug 2 057A (21662) PROGRESS M-9 Aug 20 053A (21630) MOLNIYA-1 Aug 1 056A (21655) METEOR/TOMS Aug 15 (METEOR 3-5) B. Text of Launching Announcements. 1991-060A BS-3B (Broadcasting Satellite-3B) was launched, utilizing the H-I launch vehicle (H23F), from Tanegashima Space Center of National Space Development Agency of Japan at 08:40 UT on August 25, 1991. Tentative orbital parameter: period 664 min, apogee 37,491 km, perigee 179 km, inclination 28.7 deg. The satellite is operating normally, the spacecraft's nickname is YURI-3B. 1991-059A COSMOS 2154 was launched on August 22, 1991, by the U.S.S.R. using the COSMOS booster rocket. Initial orbital parameters: period 104.9 min, apogee 1021 km, perigee 991 km, inclination 82.9 deg. 1991-058A RESURS-F13 was launched on August 21, 1991, by the U.S.S.R. using the SOYUZ booster rocket to continue the research of the Earth's natural resources. Initial orbital parameters: period 88.8 min, apogee 272 km, perigee 195 km, inclination 82.3 deg. 1991-057A PROGRESS M-9 was launched on August 20, 1991, by the U.S.S.R. to deliver expendable material and other cargo to the space station MIR. Initial orbital parameters: period 88.6 min, apogee 246 km, perigee 192 km, inclination 51.6 deg. 1991-056A METEOR/TOMS (METEOR 3-5), a meteorological satellite, was launched on August 15, 1991, by the U.S.S.R. using the TSIKLON booster rocket. The spacecraft also carries a U.S. built Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) on a joint U.S. and Soviet mission to study the ozone layer. Initial orbital parameters: period 109.4 min, apogee 1219 km, perigee 1196 km, inclination 82.6 deg. 1991-055A INTELSAT 6 F-5, an International mammoth communications satellite, was launched on August 14, 1991, from the Kourou Space Center, French Guiana, using the ARIANE booster rocket. The satellite will be placed at an altitude of 36,000 km above the equator, at 14.5 deg W over the Atlantic Ocean. Initial orbital parameters: period 743.8 min, apogee 35,789 km, perigee 5881 km, inclination 3.3 deg. 1991-054B TDRS-F5 was deployed from the orbiting STS-43 on August 2, 1991. Initial orbital parameters: period 710.3 min, apogee 34390 km, perigee 793 km, inclination 0.0 deg. 1991-054A STS-43, the space shuttle Atlantis was launched on August 2, 1991, by the United States. Initial orbital parameters: period 90.6 min, apogee 329 km, perigee 309 km, inclination 28.4 deg. STS-43 landed at Kennedy Space Center on August 11, 1991. 1991-053A MOLNIYA-1, a communications satellite, was launched on August 1, 1991, by the U.S.S.R. using the MOLNIYA booster rocket. The satellite has been placed in a highly elliptical orbit with the following initial orbital parameters: period 12 hr 17 min, apogee 40,681 km in the northern hemisphere, perigee 653 km in the southern hemisphere, inclination 62.9 deg. 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. ("NNSS" denotes U.S. Navy Navigational Satellite System; those bracketed indicate updated information since the last issue. SPACEWARN would appreciate suggestions to update this list.) Designation, Epoch, Frequency, Power, National Name and Orbit Information Remarks 1966-110A June 16, 1988 Weak signals. ATS 1 137.35 MHz VHF translator on ~12 hr/day. Inclination: 14.0 deg 1967-111A June 16, 1988 Weak signals. ATS 3 136.37 MHz 137.35 MHz Location: 105 deg W Inclination: 12.1 deg 1973-081A September 15, 1988 Operational transit. OSCAR (NAV) 20 150 MHz at 0.75 W (Also known as NNSS 30200) 400 MHz at 1.25 W Inclination: 89.9 deg 1975-100A June 29,1991 GOES 1 136.38 MHz Location: 81.2 deg W Inclination: 10.5 deg 1977-048A June 27, 1991 GOES 2 136.38 MHz Location: 59.6 deg W Inclination: 9.0 deg 1978-012A June 19, 1991 IUE 136.86 MHz Inclination: 32.890 deg 1978-062A June 16, 1991 GOES 3 136.38 MHz Location: 175.0 deg W Inclination: 7.8 deg 1981-044A March 4, 1991 Removed from service 0204 UT, March NOVA I 150 MHz at 3.00 W 3, 1991. Switched to maintenance 400 MHz at 5.00 W frequency at 2127 UT, March 4, 1991. Inclination: 90.0 deg (Also known as NNSS 30480) 1981-057A May 15, 1991 Turned on when beacon of METEOSAT 3 METEOSAT 2 137.078 MHz is turned off and vice versa. Location: 10.2 deg W Inclination: 4.2 deg 1984-110A September 15, 1988 Operational transit. NOVA III 150 MHz at 3.00 W (Also known as NNSS 30500) 400 MHz at 5.00 W Inclination: 90.0 deg 1984-114B June 27, 1991 MARECS-B2 137.17 MHz Location: 55.5 deg W Inclination: 2.2 deg 1984-123A June 30, 1991 NOAA 9 137.62 MHz Inclination: 99.168 deg 1985-066B February 26, 1991 Switched to maintenance frequency OSCAR (NAV) 30 150 MHz at 1.00 W and placed in on-orbit storage 400 MHz at 2.00 W 2048 UT, February 26, 1991. Inclination: 89.9 deg (Also known as NNSS 30300) 1986-073A June 30, 1991 NOAA 10 137.50 MHz Inclination: 98.560 deg 1986-086A July 18, 1991 COSMOS 1791 150 MHz 400 MHz Inclination: 82.945 deg 1986-088A September 15, 1988 Experimental. POLAR BEAR 150 MHz at 0.75 W (Also known as NNSS 30170) 400 MHz at 1.25 W Inclination: 89.9 deg 1987-080A December 5, 1988 Operational transit. OSCAR (NAV) 27 150 MHz at 0.75 W (Also known as NNSS 30270) 400 MHz at 1.25 W Inclination: 90.3 deg 1987-080B February 7, 1991 Operational transit. OSCAR (NAV) 29 150 MHz at 0.75 W (Also known as NNSS 30290) 400 MHz at 1.25 W Inclination: 90.3 deg 1988-033A January 31, 1989 Operational transit. OSCAR (NAV) 23 150 MHz at 0.75 W (Also known as NNSS 30230) 400 MHz at 1.25 W Inclination: 90.4 deg 1988-033B February 26, 1991 Operational transit. OSCAR (NAV) 32 150 MHz at 1.00 W (Also known as NNSS 30320) 400 MHz at 2.00 W Inclination: 90.4 deg 1988-051A February 7, 1991 Turned on when beacon of METEOSAT 2 METEOSAT 3 137.080 MHz is turned off and vice versa. Location: 3 deg W 1988-052A September 15, 1988 Operational transit. NOVA II 150 MHz at 3.00 W (Also known as NNSS 30490) 400 MHz at 5.00 W Inclination: 90.0 deg 1988-074A September 15, 1988 Stored in orbit at an offset OSCAR (NAV) 25 150 MHz at 0.75 W frequency. 400 MHz at 1.25 W (Also known as NNSS 30250) Inclination: 90.0 deg 1988-074B March 8, 1990 Stored in orbit at an offset OSCAR (NAV) 31 150 MHz at 1.00 W frequency. 400 MHz at 2.00 W (Also known as NNSS 30310) Inclination: 98.971 deg 1988-089A June 28, 1991 NOAA 11 136.77 MHz 137.77 MHz Inclination: 99.031 deg 1989-017A July 18, 1991 COSMOS 2004 149.94 MHz 399.84 MHz Inclination: 82.955 deg 1989-042A July 18, 1991 COSMOS 2026 149.97 MHz 399.92 MHz Inclination: 82.941 deg 1990-017A July 18, 1991 NADEZHDA-2 150 MHz 400 MHz Inclination: 82.955 1990-023A July 19, 1991 COSMOS 2061 149.94 MHz 399.84 MHz Inclination: 82.936 deg 1990-036A July 19, 1991 COSMOS 2074 149.91 MHz 399.76 MHz Inclination: 82.944 deg 1990-083A July 18, 1991 COSMOS 2100 149.97 MHz 399.92 MHz Inclination: 82.938 deg 1991-007A July 18, 1991 COSMOS 2123 150 MHz 400 MHz Inclination: 82.923 deg 1991-019A July 18, 1991 NADEZHDA-3 150 MHz 400 MHz Inclination: 82.929 deg 1991-029A July 18, 1991 COSMOS 2142 150.03 MHz 400.08 MHz Inclination: 82.953 deg 2. Optical objects used for geophysical studies. (These objects are also suitable for studies of air density and atmospheric winds. Additional research interest is indicated by + for gravitational fields. SPACEWARN would appreciate suggestions to update this list.) + 1965-098C ALOUETTE 2 (rocket) 1970-034B CHINA 1 (rocket) 1971-016A COSMOS 398 + 1984-106A COSMOS 1603 + 1988-021B IRS-1A (rocket) 3. Satellites useful for simultaneous observation programs with small cameras. ("NNN" Denotes no national name. SPACEWARN would appreciate suggestions to update this list.) Apogee Perigee Incl (km) (km) Magn Remarks 1963-049A NNN 89.9 1086 1060 +5 cylinder, 4.8 x 1.4 m 1964-001A NNN 69.9 927 904 +5 cylinder, 8 x 1.5 m 1964-053A COSMOS 44 65.1 817 608 +4 cylinder 1965-070F COSMOS 56.1 1515 1357 +5 rocket body 1965-073F COSMOS 56.1 1686 1387 +5 rocket body 1965-089A GEOS 1 59.4 2275 1113 octahedron and pyramid, 0.81 x 1.22 m 1968-002A GEOS 2 105.8 1570 1082 octahedron and pyramid, 0.81 x 1.22 m 1975-027A GEOS 3 115.0 858 818 octahedron and pyramid, 1.11 x 1.22 m 1976-039A LAGEOS 109.8 5946 5837 sphere, 0.6 m diameter 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. This section will not appear when information is not available.) 5. Actual decays. Actual Decay Dates 1985 1975-009D Sep 30 Actual Decay Dates 1990 1976-127A (MOLNIYA 3-6) Feb 6 Actual Decay Dates 1991 1961-OMI 168 Aug 20 1987-020DC Aug 18 1964-006AE Aug 6 1987-022B Aug 4 1965-082AU Aug 13 1989-100AF Aug 14 1967-014L Aug 19 1989-100AG Aug 13 1970-025LU Aug 6 1990-061E Aug 24 1970-089DB Jul 6 1990-081C (PRC 32) Jul 24 1971-015CX Jul 31 1990-104T Jul 22 1972-058JK Jul 22 1991-038A (PROGRESS M-8) Aug 16 1975-052BA Jul 31 1991-044C Jul 21 1975-052FJ Jul 5 1991-044D Aug 10 1975-052GG Jul 10 1991-044E Jul 23 1976-120AF Aug 1 1991-044F Jul 25 1976-120BA Aug 14 1991-044G Jul 28 1981-028F Aug 6 1991-044H Jul 23 1983-044AG Aug 17 1991-048A (COSMOS 2152) Jul 23 1986-017DH Aug 21 1991-048C Jul 27 1986-017DJ Jul 24 1991-048D Jul 31 1986-017DM Aug 11 1991-048E Jul 25 1986-017DR Aug 14 1991-048F Jul 24 1986-017DT Aug 8 1991-048G Jul 26 1986-017DX Aug 12 1991-052A (RESURS-F12) Aug 8 1986-017DY Aug 19 1991-052B Jul 25 1986-017ED Aug 5 1991-052C Aug 12 1986-017EN Aug 14 1991-052D Aug 10 1986-017EW Aug 15 1991-052F Aug 15 1986-017EY Aug 19 1991-052G Aug 11 1986-017FF Aug 13 1991-054A (STS-43) Aug 11 1986-017FG Aug 12 1991-057B Aug 22 1986-017FH Aug 21 1991-058B Aug 23 1986-073C Aug 4 D. Launching Reports and Updated information. 1. Updated Information. 1991-050A (21574) ERS-1 Initial orbital parameters: period 100.5 min, apogee 808 km, perigee 781 km, inclination 98.5 deg. 1991-050B (21575) UOSAT-F Launched by ESA for United Kingdom. Orbital parameters not available. 1991-050C (21576) ORBCOMM-X Launched by ESA for United States. Orbital parameters not available. 1991-050D (21577) TUBSAT Launched by ESA for Germany. Orbital parameters not available. 1991-050E (21578) SARA Launched by ESA for France. Orbital parameters not available. 1991-051A (21580) MICROSAT 1 Launched by United States. Initial orbital parameters: period 92.7 min, apogee 454 km, perigee 356 km, inclination 82.0 deg. 1991-051B (21581) MICROSAT 2 Launched by United States. Initial orbital parameters: period 92.7 min, apogee 457 km, perigee 359 km, inclination 82.0 deg. 1991-051C (21582) MICROSAT 3 Launched by United States. Initial orbital parameters: period 92.5 min, apogee 442 km, perigee 355 km, inclination 82.0 deg. 1991-051D (21583) MICROSAT 4 Launched by United States. Initial orbital parameters: period 92.7 min, apogee 457 km, perigee 359 km, inclination 82.0 deg. 1991-051E (21584) MICROSAT 5 Launched by United States. Initial orbital parameters: period 92.7 min, apogee 457 km, perigee 360 km, inclination 82.0 deg. 1991-051F (21585) MICROSAT 6 Launched by United States. Initial orbital parameters: period 92.7 min, apogee 458 km, perigee 359 km, inclination 82.0 deg. 1991-051G (21586) MICROSAT 7 Launched by United States. Initial orbital parameters: period 92.7 min, apogee 458 km, perigee 359 km, inclination 82.0 deg.