SPACEWARN Bulletin Number 462

SPACEWARN Activities

A. List of New International Designations and Launch Dates.

1992-022A (21946) Progress M-12 Apr 19   1992-018A (21928) Cosmos 2183    Apr  8
     021B (21940) INMARSAT 2 F4 Apr 15        017A (21922) Gorizont-25    Apr  2
     021A (21939) TELCOM 2B     Apr 15        016A (21920) Cosmos 2182    Apr  1
     020A (21937) Cosmos 2184   Apr 15        015A (21915) STS 45         Mar 24
     019A (21930) USA 80        Apr 10   

B. Text of Launch Announcements.

1992-022A

Progress M-12, a cargo spacecraft was launched by the C.I.S to carry consumable supplies to the manned MIR station. Initial orbital parameters are: period 88.4 min, apogee 230 km, perigee 193 km, and inclination 51.8 deg.

1992-021B

INMARSAT 2 F4, a geostationary communications spacecraft was launched by an Ariane booster rocket from GSC, Guiana. Initial orbital parameters are: period 1431 min, apogee 35805 km, perigee 35559 km, and inclination 2.0 deg.

1992-21A

TELCOM 2B, a French geostationary communications spacecraft was launched by an Ariane booster rocket from GSC, Guiana. Initial orbital parameters are: period 1428 min, apogee 35788, perigee 35466, and inclination 0.0 deg.

1992-020A

Cosmos 2184 was launched by a Cosmos booster rocket from Plesetsk Space Center by the C.I.S. It carries scientific instruments for continuing space research, and a radio system for precise determination of its orbit. Initial orbital parameters are: period 105 min, apogee 1027 km, perigee 987 km, and inclination 82.9 deg.

1992-019A

USA 80, a global positioning spacecraft was launched by the U.S.A. Initial orbital parameters are: period 716 min, apogee 20390, perigee 19877, and inclination 55.1.

1992-018A

Cosmos 2183 was launched from Baykonur Cosmodrome by the C.I.S. Initial orbital parameters are: period 89 min, apogee 289 km, perigee 190 km, and inclination 64.9 deg. It carries scientific apparatus for continuing space research.

1992-017A

Gorizont-25, a geostationary communications spacecraft was launched by a Proton rocket from Baykonur Cosmodrome by the C.I.S. Initial orbital parameters are: period 1428 min, apogee 35628 km, and inclination 1.5 deg.

1992-016A

Cosmos 2182 was launched by a Soyuz rocket by the C.I.S. It carries scientific instruments for continuing space research. Initial orbital parameters are: period 89.5 min, apogee 350 km, perigee 179 km, and inclination 67.2 deg.

1992-015A

STS-45 was launched from Cape Canaveral by the U.S.A. It carried the ATLAS-1 experimental package for atmospheric and ionospheric research during its mission. Initial orbital parameters are: period 90.4 min, apogee 304 km, perigee 292 km, and inclination 57.0 deg. (It landed on April 2, 1992.)

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
   
   1989-045A (20064)     COSMOS (2027) Apr 14
   1990-108A (20985)     COSMOS 2107   Apr 05
   1991-069A (21735)     SOYUZ TM 13   Mar 28
   1992-015A (21915)     STS-45        Apr 02
   
   

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: 24 May 1995, EVB II