SPX-455 SEPTEMBER 25, 1991 SPACEWARN Activities (All information in this publication was received between August 27, and September 24, 1991.) A. List of New International Designations and Launch Dates. (HQ USSPACECOM Catalog numbers are in parentheses.) 1991-066A (21713) COSMOS 2156 Sep 19 1991-063A (21700) STS-48 Sep 12 065A (21706) MOLNIYA 3-41 Sep 17 062A (21694) SOLAR-A Aug 30 064A (21702) COSMOS 2155 Sep 13 061A (21688) IRS-1B Aug 29 063B (21701) UARS Sep 12 B. Text of Launching Announcements. 1991-066A COSMOS 2156 was launched on September 19, 1991, by the U.S.S.R. using the SOYUZ booster rocket, to continue space research. Initial orbital parameters: period 89.6 min, apogee 369 km, perigee 176 km, inclination 68.1 deg. 1991-065A MOLNIYA 3-41, a communications satellite, was launched on September 17, 1991, by the U.S.S.R. using the MOLNIYA booster rocket. Initial orbital parameters: period 12 hr 17 min, apogee 40,859 km, perigee 464 km, inclination 62.7 deg. 1991-064A COSMOS 2155 was launched on September 13, 1991, by the U.S.S.R. using the PROTON booster rocket. The communications satellite has been placed in a near geostationary orbit with the following initial orbital parameters: 35,850 km from the Earth's surface, inclination to the Equator 1.3 deg, period 23 hr, 56 min. 1991-063B UARS (Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite) was deployed from the orbiting shuttle DISCOVERY on September 15, 1991. The satellite will carry out the first systematic, detailed study of the Earth's stratosphere, mesosphere, and lower thermosphere. Initial orbital parameters: period 96.2 min, apogee 575 km, perigee 574 km, inclination 57.0 deg. 1991-063A STS-48, the space shuttle DISCOVERY was launched on September 12, 1991, by the U.S. Mid-deck payload consists of the Physiological and Anatomical Rodent Experiment (PARE) and the Protein Crystal Growth (PCG) experiment. Initial orbital parameters: period 95.4 min, apogee 553 km, perigee 538 km, inclination 56.9 deg. Discovery landed in California on September 18, 1991. 1991-062A SOLAR-A was launched August 30, 1991, from Kagoshima Space Center, Japan. Initial orbital parameters: period 98.0 min, apogee 795 km, perigee 526 km, inclination 31.3 deg. The national name of SOLAR-A is YOHKOH (meaning "sunlight" in English). 1991-061A IRS-1B, an Indian Remote Sensing satellite, was launched August 29, 1991, by the U.S.S.R. using the VOSTOK booster rocket. Initial orbital parameters: period 102.7 min, apogee 915 km, perigee 859 km, inclination 99.2 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. (Updated information since the last issue are bracketed. SPACEWARN would appreciate suggestions to update this list.) Acknowledgement: SPACEWARN appreciates the updates in this section supplied by Dr. Piero Beni, IROE-CNR, Firenze, Italy. 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 [September 12, 1991] METEOSAT 2 137.078 MHz [Location: 10 deg W] [Inclination: 4 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 [September 12, 1991 Transmits on command.] METEOSAT 3 137.080 MHz [Location: 50 deg] 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. Global Positioning System satellites useful for navigational purposes and geodetic studies. ("NNN" denotes no national name; updated information since the last issue are bracketed. SPACEWARN would appreciate suggestions to update this list.) Acknowledgement: SPACEWARN appreciates the help of Dr. Erricos C. Pavlis, Space Geodesy Branch, Code 926, GSFC, in updating the following: Designation, Epoch, Frequency, National Name and Orbit Information Remarks [1978-093A September 7, 1991 Also known as GPS 3 (Global NNN 1575.42 MHz Positioning Satellite) and 1227.60 MHz NAVSTAR 3. Inclination 63.682 deg 1983-072A September 8, 1991 Also known as NAVSTAR 8. NNN 1575.42 MHz 1227.60 MHz Inclination 63.601 deg 1984-059A September 8, 1991 Also known as USA 1 and NAVSTAR 9. NNN 1575.42 MHz 1227.60 MHz Inclination 63.363 deg 1984-097A September 9, 1991 Also known as NAVSTAR 10. USA-5 1575.42 MHz 1227.60 MHz Inclination 62.973 deg 1985-093A September 8, 1991 Also known as NAVSTAR 11. USA-10 1575.42 MHz 1227.60 MHz Inclination 64.115 deg 1989-013A August 17, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-1 (2nd USA-35 1575.42 MHz Generation Global Positioning 1227.60 MHz Satellite) and NAVSTAR 2-01. Inclination 55.033 deg 1989-044A August 19, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-2 and USA-38 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 2-02. 1227.60 MHz Inclination 54.937 deg 1989-064A July 9, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-3 and USA-42 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 2-03. 1227.60 MHz Inclination 54.873 deg 1989-085A July 6, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-4 and USA-47 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 2-04. 1227.60 MHz Inclination 54.368 deg 1989-097A August 24, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-5 and USA-49 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 2-05. 1227.60 MHz Inclination 55.058 deg 1990-008A August 23, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-6 and USA-50 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 2-06. 1227.60 MHz Inclination 54.329 deg 1990-025A August 24, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-7 and USA-54 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 2-07. 1227.60 MHz Inclination 55.202 deg 1990-068A August 23, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-8 and USA-63 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 2-08. 1227.60 MHz Inclination 54.671 deg 1990-088A August 24, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-9 and USA-64 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 2-09. 1227.60 MHz Inclination 54.984 deg 1990-103A September 4, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-10 and USA-66 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 2A-01. 1227.60 MHz Inclination 54.893 deg 1991-047A September 17, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-11 and USA-71 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 2A-02. 1227.60 MHz Inclination 55.275] 3. 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) 4. 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 5. 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.) Objects predicted to decay within 60 days from September 19, 1991 Expected Decay Dates 1991 1961-OMI 138 Nov 16 1986-017DE Nov 16 1965-082MV Nov 3 1986-017DP Nov 5 1965-082QU Nov 16 1986-017DS Nov 5 1967-014N Oct 2 1986-017DV Oct 20 1967-039B Oct 28 1986-017EV Oct 5 1968-097AC Oct 4 1886-017FA Oct 5 1970-025AE Nov 16 1986-017FC Oct 9 1972-011A (COSMOS 476) Nov 1 1986-017FD Sep 31 1975-056A (COSMOS 744) Oct 13 1986-019VB Nov 6 1978-026DE Sep 30 1987-012A (ASTRO-C) Nov 11 1979-017KE Nov 16 1991-047C Oct 30 1979-017KM Oct 22 1991-064B Oct 8 1981-053DT Oct 15 1991-065B Sep 30 1983-022B Oct 23 6. Actual decays. Actual Decay Dates 1989 1989-004D Jul 31 Actual Decay Dates 1990 1989-081F Sep 28 1989-101F Jul 31 1989-098E Sep 4 1990-016E Dec 3 1989-098F Jun 6 1990-016F Sep 4 Actual Decay Dates 1991 1967-014K Aug 30 1976-039B Sep 22 1967-092H Sep 12 1976-120U Sep 3 1968-017D Sep 8 1976-120AR Sep 15 1968-097AA Aug 24 1977-065BV Sep 22 1968-097CC Sep 6 1977-121BT Sep 15 1971-059A (METEOR 1-9) Aug 27 1978-026GY Sep 6 1972-058AQ Aug 31 1979-017CZ Sep 10 1972-058DG Sep 10 1983-113BF Sep 2 1975-052EH Aug 28 1986-017CZ Aug 25 1975-052EP Aug 20 1986-017DL Aug 24 1975-052FP Aug 5 1986-017DN Aug 28 1975-052FQ Aug 17 1986-017DQ Sep 2 1975-052GC Aug 10 1986-017DW Sep 8 1975-052GE Aug 29 1986-017EB Sep 13 1975-052GV Aug 31 1986-017EH Sep 15 1975-052HG Aug 7 1986-017EK Sep 1 1975-052JH Sep 6 1986-017EL Sep 9 1975-052JL Aug 28 1986-017EM Sep 20 1976-021D Jul 1 1986-017EP Sep 11 1986-017EQ Aug 27 1990-105AB Aug 26 1986-017ER Sep 6 1991-014E Sep 10 1986-017ES Aug 28 1991-052E Aug 28 1986-017ET Sep 7 1991-053B Sep 2 1986-017EU Aug 31 1991-053C Sep 3 1986-017FE Aug 29 1991-058A (RESURS-F13) Aug 20 1986-017FJ Aug 29 1991-058C Sep 21 1986-019CA Sep 13 1991-058D Sep 21 1987-036C Sep 13 1991-058E Sep 22 1989-016D Sep 4 1991-060B Sep 7 1989-052E Aug 15 1991-063A (STS-48) Sep 18 1990-022A (COSMOS 2060) Sep 1 1991-064C Sep 14 1990-105J Sep 20 1991-064D Sep 15 1990-105L Sep 2 1991-066B Sep 22 D. Launching Reports and Updated Information. 1. Postlaunch Report. (This section covers only those reports that are sent directly to us by the national agencies.) The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) successfully launched the SOLAR-A satellite at 02:30Z on August 30, 1991, from the Kagoshima Space Center, at Uchinoura, Kagoshima Prefecture. The main objective of this satellite is to study the solar flare with hard and soft x-ray telescopes, employing opportunities during the solar maximum period. Epoch 02H 38M 39.000S August 30, 1991 (UTC) Semi-major Axis 7033.3714 km Eccentricity 0.01952 Ascending Node 54.0858 deg Argument of Perigee 47.0649 deg Mean Anomaly 54.6938 deg Period 97.8762 min SOLAR-A transmit 2256.22 MHz with 0.5/0.2 watts and 8460.81 MHz with 0.8/0.05 watts, respectively. SOLAR-A is renamed "YOHKOH," meaning sunlight in English. 2. Updated Information 1991-060A (21668) BS-3B (YURI-3B) The satellite is positioned at an altitude of 36,000 km, at 110 deg longitude. CORRECTION to Section C. 5 of SPX-451 The decay of 1991-020A PROGRESS-7 should read PROGRESS M-7. The decay of 1981-020A PROGRESS M-7 is incorrect and should be deleted.