SPACEWARN Bulletin Number 471

SPACEWARN Activities

A. List of New International Designations and Launch Dates.

1993-004A (22317) Cosmos 2231   Jan 19 1992-095A (22300) Cosmos 2229   Dec 29
     003B (22314) TDRS F6       Jan 13      094A (22286) Cosmos 2228   Dec 25
     003A (22313) STS 54        Jan 13      093A (22284) Cosmos 2227   Dec 25
     002A (22309) Molniya 1-85  Jan 13
     001A (22307) Cosmos 2230   Jan 12

B. Text of Launch Announcements.

1993-004A

Cosmos 2231, a C.I.S. spacecraft, was launched by a Soyuz rocket from Plesetsk Space Center. Initial orbital parameters are: period 89.6 min, apogee 370 km, perigee 177 km, and inclination 67.2 deg.

1993-003B

TDRS F6, a U.S.A. Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) spacecraft, was launched from STS 54. It is the sixth in the TDRSS series of which only two are fully functional and another two are "operational." This geostationary spacecraft will be parked at 62 deg W. (The fully functional TDRS F4 and F5 will remain at 41 deg W and 174 deg W, respectively. TDRS F1 will be moved to 85 deg E and F3 to 171 deg W.)

1993-003A

STS 54, a U.S.A. shuttle spacecraft, was launched from Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida. It carries two identical Diffuse X-Ray Spectrometers (DXS) at the 420-840 nanometer band to study the hot gases/plasma in the Milky Way of the galaxy. Also carried on board are the CHROMEX experiment to raise seeds from flowering plants (Arabidopsis Thaliana, commonly called mouse-ear cress), a Physiological and Anatomical Rodent Experiment (PARE), and experiments for pharmaceutical production (CGBA) and solid surface combustion (SSCE). Initial orbital parameters are period 92.5 min, apogee 614 km, perigee 179 km, and inclination 62.8 deg.

1993-002A

Molniya 1-85, a C.I.S. communications spacecraft, was launched by a Molniya rocket from Plesetsk cosmodrome. Initial orbital parameters are period 12 hr and 15 min, apogee 40,609 km (Northern Hemisphere), perigee 647 km, and inclination 63 deg.

1993-001A

Cosmos 2230, a C.I.S. navigational spacecraft in the CICADA series for locating whereabouts of ships on the ocean, was launched by a Cosmos rocket from Plesetsk cosmodrome. Initial orbital parameters are period 105 min, apogee 1,020 km, perigee 988 km, and inclination 83 deg.

1992-095A

Cosmos 2229, a C.I.S. spacecraft, was launched by a Soyuz rocket from Plesetsk cosmodrome. It carries two monkeys and several insects, amphibians, plants, and cell cultures. Participating scientists are from nine countries and ESA. Initial orbital parameters are period 90.4 min, apogee 393 km, perigee 225 km, and inclination 62.8 deg.

1992-094A

Cosmos 2228, a C.I.S. spacecraft, was launched by a Cyclone rocket from Plesetsk cosmodrome. Initial orbital parameters are period 97.8 min, apogee 681 km, perigee 646 km, and inclination 82.5 deg.

1992-093A

Cosmos 2227, a C.I.S. spacecraft, was launched by a Zenith rocket from Baykonur cosmodrome. Initial orbital parameters are period 102 min, apogee 880 km, perigee 852 km, and inclination 71 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. 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. Actual decays/landings of payload spacecraft and rocket bodies (R/B) only. Additional information is not available.

   Designations          National Name             1993
   1983-046A (14075)     COSMOS 1463              24 Jan
   1993-004B (22318)     RB/COSMOS 2231           23 Jan
   1993-003A (22313)     STS 54 (landed)          19 Jan
   1992-077A (22226)     COSMOS 2220              18 Jan
   1992-095D (22303)     RB/COSMOS 2229           18 Jan
   1992-095B (22301)     RB/COSMOS 2229           16 Jan
   1984-068A (15080)     COSMOS 1578              10 Jan
   1992-095A (22300)     COSMOS 2229              10 Jan
   1992-081B (22239)     RB/COSMOS 2222           28 Dec, 1992
   1992-091B (22281)     RB/COSMOS 2225           26 Dec, 1992
   
   

4. Miscellaneous Items. (This section contains information/data that are entered on occasion and may not be repeated in each issue of the SPACEWARN Bulletin.)

   Imminent launch of science spacecraft

       SPACECRAFT                      ASTRO-D
       PLANNED LAUNCH                  12 February 93 (JST)
       COUNTRY                         JAPAN
       ORGANIZATION                    ISAS
       MISSION                         TO STUDY COSMIC X-RAYS
       APOGEE                          642 km
       PERIGEE                         536 km
       WEIGHT                          418 kg
       PERIOD                          96.5 min
   
   

   Erratum: In SPACEWARN Bulletin Number 469, the spacecraft launched from MIR on 20 November 1992 was mispelled as NAK 2. The correct name is MAK 2.

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