SPX-458 DECEMBER 26, 1991 SPACEWARN Activities (All information in this publication was received between November 25, and December 25, 1991.) A. List of New International Designations and Launch Dates. (HQ USSPACECOM Catalog numbers are in parentheses.) 1991-087A (21821) RADUGA 28 Dec 19 1991-076D (21808) USA-76 Nov 8 086A (21819) INTERCOSMOS 25 Dec 18 080B (21805) USA-75 Nov 24 085A (21816) Unknown Dec 17 083A (21803) EUTELSAT-II F3 Dec 7 084B (21814) INMARSAT-2 F3 Dec 16 076C (21799) USA-74 Nov 8 084A (21813) TELECOM-2A Dec 16 082A (21798) USA-73 Nov 28 076E (21809) USA-77 Nov 8 081A (21796) COSMOS 2173 Nov 27 B. Text of Launching Announcements. 1991-087A RADUGA 28, a telecommunications satellite, was launched on December 19, 1991 by the U.S.S.R. using the PROTON launching rocket. Initial orbital parameters: period 24 hr 32 min, distance from the Earth 36,500 km, inclination 1.5 deg. 1991-086A INTERCOSMOS 25, also known as APEX, was launched on December 18, 1991 by the USSR using the TSIKLON launcher rocket to study high solar activity near the Earth, similar to the ACTIVE mission. Initial orbital parameters: period 121.7 min, apogee 3080 km, perigee 440 km, inclination 82.5 deg. It also carried a Czech subsatellite called MAGION 3. 1991-085A An unknown spacecraft was launched on December 17, 1991 by the U.S.S.R. 1991-084B INMARSAT-2 F3 was launched on December 16, 1991 from the Kourou Space Center. 1991-084A TELECOM-2A was launched on December 16, 1991 from the Kourou Space Center. Initial orbital parameters: period 764.8 min, apogee 35,769 km, perigee 6910 km, inclination 1.9 deg. 1991-076E USA-77 was launched on November 8, 1991 by the U.S. 1991-076D USA-76 was launched on November 8, 1991 by the U.S. 1991-080B USA-75 was deployed from the orbiting STS-44 on November 24, 1991. 1991-083A EUTELSAT-II F3 was launched on December 7, 1991 by the ESA. Initial orbital parameters: period 996.4 min, apogee 41,008 km, perigee 12,347 km, inclination 17.0 deg. 1991-076C USA-74 was launched on November 8, 1991 by the U.S. 1991-082A USA-73 (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F-11) was launched on November 26, 1991 by the U.S. using an ATLAS E booster rocket. Initial orbital parameters: period 101.9 min, apogee 870 km, perigee 846 km, inclination 98.9 deg. 1991-081A COSMOS 2173 was launched on November 27, 1991 by the U.S.S.R. using the COSMOS carrier rocket. Initial orbital parameters: period 104.8 min, apogee 1030 km, perigee 965 km, inclination 82.9 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. (* indicates updated information since the last issue. SPACEWARN would appreciate suggestions to update this list.) Acknowledgement: SPACEWARN appreciates the updates in this section supplied by G.E. Perry, Cornwall, U.K., and Piero Beni, IROE-CNR, Firenze, Italy. Designation, Epoch, Frequency, Power, National Name and Orbit Information Remarks 1966-110A (02608) June 16, 1988 Weak signals. ATS 1 137.35 MHz VHF translator on ~12 hr/ Inclination: 14.0 deg day. 1967-111A (03029) June 16, 1988 Weak signals. ATS 3 136.37 MHz 137.35 MHz Location: 105 deg W Inclination: 12.1 deg 1973-081A (06909) 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 (08366) June 29,1991 GOES 1 136.38 MHz Location: 81.2 deg W Inclination: 10.5 deg 1977-048A (10061) September 19, 1991 GOES 2 136.38 MHz Location: 59.8 deg W Inclination: 9.1 deg 1978-012A (10637) September 28, 1991 IUE 136.86 MHz Inclination: 33.004 deg 1978-062A (10953) September 23, 1991 GOES 3 136.38 MHz Location: 173.9 deg W Inclination: 8.0 deg 1981-044A (12458) March 4, 1991 Stored in orbit at NOVA I 150 MHz at 3.00 W maintenance frequency. 400 MHz at 5.00 W Also known as NNSS 30480. Inclination: 90.0 deg 1981-057A (12544) September 12, 1991 *VHF beacon switched off METEOSAT 2 137.078 MHz on December 3, 1991. Location: 10 deg W Inclination: 4 deg 1984-110A (13562) 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 (13586) September 24, 1991 MARECS-B2 137.17 MHz Location: 55.5 deg W Inclination: 2.4 deg 1984-123A (15427) October 12, 1991 NOAA 9 137.62 MHz Inclination: 99.165 deg 1985-066B (15936) February 26, 1991 Stored in orbit at OSCAR (NAV) 30 150 MHz at 1.00 W maintenance frequency. 400 MHz at 2.00 W Also known as NNSS 30300. Inclination: 89.9 deg 1986-017A (16609) October 27, 1991 MIR 145.550 MHz Inclination 51.604 deg 1986-073A (16969) October 9, 1991 NOAA 10 137.50 MHz Inclination: 98.558 deg 1986-086A (17066) July 18, 1991 COSMOS 1791 150 MHz 400 MHz Inclination: 82.945 deg 1986-088A (17070) 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 1987-054A (18129) October 27, 1991 COSMOS 1861 29.357 MHz 29.403 MHz 29.407 MHz Inclination 82.926 deg 1987-080A (18361) 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 (18362) 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 (19070) 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 (19071) 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 (19251) September 12, 1991 Transmits on command. METEOSAT 3 137.080 MHz Location: 50 deg 1988-052A (19223) 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 (19419) September 15, 1988 Stored in orbit at an OSCAR (NAV) 25 150 MHz at 0.75 W offset frequency. 400 MHz at 1.25 W Also known as NNSS 30250. Inclination: 90.0 deg 1988-074B (19420) March 8, 1990 Stored in orbit at an OSCAR (NAV) 31 150 MHz at 1.00 W offset frequency. 400 MHz at 2.00 W Also known as NNSS 30310. Inclination: 98.971 deg 1988-089A (19531) October 10, 1991 NOAA 11 136.77 MHz 137.77 MHz Inclination: 99.043 deg 1989-017A (19826) July 18, 1991 COSMOS 2004 149.94 MHz 399.84 MHz Inclination: 82.955 deg 1989-042A (20045) July 18, 1991 COSMOS 2026 149.97 MHz 399.92 MHz Inclination: 82.941 deg 1990-017A (20508) July 18, 1991 NADEZHDA-2 150 MHz 400 MHz Inclination: 82.955 deg 1990-036A (20577) July 19, 1991 COSMOS 2074 149.91 MHz 399.76 MHz Inclination: 82.944 deg 1990-083A (20804) July 18, 1991 *Not active, replaced by COSMOS 2100 149.97 MHz 1991-081A COSMOS 2173. 399.92 MHz Inclination: 82.938 deg 1990-086A (20826) October 27, 1991 METEOR 2-20 137.850 MHz Inclination 82.530 deg 1991-007A (21089) July 18, 1991 COSMOS 2123 150 MHz 400 MHz Inclination: 82.923 deg 1991-019A (21152) July 18, 1991 NADEZHDA-3 150 MHz 400 MHz Inclination: 82.929 deg 1991-029A (21230) July 18, 1991 COSMOS 2142 150.03 MHz 400.08 MHz Inclination: 82.953 deg 1991-030A (21232) October 27, 1991 METEOR 3-4 137.300 MHz Inclination: 82.548 deg 1991-032A (21236) October 28, 1991 NOAA 12 137.500 MHz Inclination: 98.723 deg 1991-059A (21666) September 29, 1991 COSMOS 2154 149.94 MHz 399.84 MHz Inclination: 82.909 deg *1991-081A (21796) December 13, 1991 Replacing 1990-083A COSMOS COSMOS 2173 149.97 MHZ 2100, in plane #4 on 388.84 MHz December 11, 1991. Inclination: 82.955 deg 2. Global Positioning System satellites useful for navigational purposes and geodetic studies. ("NNN" denotes no national name. SPACEWARN would appreciate suggestions to update this list.) Designation, Epoch, Frequency, National Name and Orbit Information Remarks 1978-093A (11054) 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 (14189) September 8, 1991 Also known as NAVSTAR 8. NNN 1575.42 MHz 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 63.601 deg 1984-059A (15039) September 8, 1991 Also known as USA-1 and NNN 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 9. 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 63.363 deg 1984-097A (15271) September 9, 1991 Also known as NAVSTAR 10. USA-5 1575.42 MHz 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 62.973 deg 1985-093A (16129) September 8, 1991 Also known as NAVSTAR 11. USA-10 1575.42 MHz 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 64.115 deg 1989-013A (19820) August 17, 1991 Also known as GPS 2-1 (2nd USA-35 1575.42 MHz Generation Global 1227.60 MHz Positioning Satellite) and Inclination: 55.033 deg NAVSTAR 2-01. 1989-044A (20061) 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 (20185) 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 (20302) 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 (20361) 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 (20452) 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 (20533) 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 (20724) 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 (20830) 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 (20959) 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 (21552) 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. (SPACEWARN would appreciate suggestions to update this list.) 1965-098C (01807) ALOUETTE 2 rocket (gravitational field) 1970-034B (04392) CHINA 1 rocket (atmospheric winds) 1971-016A (04966) COSMOS 398 (atmospheric winds, air density) 1975-072B (08063) COS-B second stage (atmospheric winds) 1984-106A (15333) COSMOS 1603 (gravitational field) 1985-100B (16194) METEOR 3-01 rocket (gravitational field) 1988-021B (18961) IRS-1A rocket (gravitational field) 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 (00730) NNN 89.9 1086 1060 +5 cylinder, 4.8 x 1.4 m 1964-001A (00727) NNN 69.9 927 904 +5 cylinder, 8 x 1.5 m 1964-053A (00876) COSMOS 44 65.1 817 608 +4 cylinder 1965-070F (01575) COSMOS 56.1 1515 1357 +5 rocket body 1965-073F (01589) COSMOS 56.1 1686 1387 +5 rocket body 1965-089A (01726) GEOS 1 59.4 2275 1113 octahedron and pyramid, 0.81 x 1.22 m 1968-002A (03093) GEOS 2 105.8 1570 1082 octahedron and pyramid, 0.81 x 1.22 m 1975-027A (07734) GEOS 3 115.0 858 818 octahedron and pyramid, 1.11 x 1.22 m 1976-039A (08820) 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 December 12, 1991 Expected Decay Dates 1991 1967-045C (02823) Dec 20 1975-004CJ (09000) Dec 13 1967-102B (03011) Dec 18 1986-017DZ (21481) Dec 16 1970-089BN (05295) Dec 16 1986-017EX (21619) Dec 16 (The above space objects have since decayed, see Section C.6) 1961-OMI 206 (00662) Dec 25 1978-028FX (14457) Dec 26 1966-070B (02404) Dec 25 1986-019DQ (17343) Dec 26 1975-004HM (19053) Dec 26 1990-038B (20582) Dec 26 Expected Decay Dates 1992 1986-017EA (21482) Jan 4 1962-A ALP4 (00313) Jan 18 1986-019CW (17314) Jan 6 1991-051D (21583) MICROSAT-4 Jan 19 1980-030T (12345) Jan 7 1991-051B (21581) MICROSAT-2 Jan 20 1991-051C (21582) MICROSAT-3 Jan 10 1991-051F (21585) MICROSAT-6 Jan 20 1975-004GD (09682) Jan 12 1977-065Q (10186) Jan 25 1984-021C (14782) Jan 16 1991-051E (21584) MICROSAT-5 Jan 25 1973-080A (06907) COSMOS 604 Jan 17 1970-025BS (04704) Jan 30 1990-049B (20639) Jan 17 1970-025L (04608) Feb 7 1991-051G (21586) MICROSAT-7 Jan 17 1975-033A (07752) ARIABAT Feb 7 6. Actual decays. Actual Decay Dates 1991 1965-082TF (05376) Dec 7 1986-017DZ (21481) Dec 16 1967-045C (02823) Dec 21 1986-017EX (21619) Dec 18 1967-102B (03011) Dec 19 1986-017EZ (21625) Dec 6 1969-082JR (05757) Dec 20 1986-017FB (21627) Dec 3 1969-082KX (17661) Dec 20 1989-085C (20304) Dec 5 1970-025LM (05508) Nov 23 1989-100AH (21767) Nov 23 1970-089BN (05295) Dec 16 1989-100AM (21771) Nov 22 1970-089DA (15782) Dec 8 1989-100AN (21772) Nov 29 1972-058CC (07934) Dec 8 1989-100AP (21773) Nov 27 1975-004CJ (09000) Dec 13 1989-100AQ (21774) Dec 6 1975-052GR (21520) Nov 21 1991-078B (21788) Nov 24 1975-052HZ (21673) Nov 11 1991-071A (21741) COSMOS 2163 Dec 7 1975-052JB (21675) Dec 1 1991-080A (21795) STS-44 Dec 1 1978-093B (11078) Dec 25 1991-087B (21822) Dec 21 1981-060A (12556) MOLNIYA 1-50 Dec 14 1991-087C (21823) Dec 20 1981-115A (12968) BHASKARA 2 Nov 30 D. Launching Reports and Updated Information. 1. Prelaunch announcement. (This section covers only those reports that are sent directly to us by the national agencies.) Spacelab: IML-1 (International Microgravity Laboratory) Planned Launch Date: January 22, 1992 Country: United States of America Mission Description: The Spacelab International Microgravity Laboratory mission has a configured payload complement primarily of experiments previously flown on Spacelab misssions. The IML-1 payload consists of experiments that will conduct selected science, technology, and application investigations that require the low Earth orbit with emphasis on experiments that investigate the effect of microgravity on material and life science processes. The Spacelab configuration consists of the long module. Flight Profile: a. STS Flight: STS-42 b. Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center c. Landing Site: Edwards Air Force Base d. Inclination: 57.0 deg c Altitude: 302 km (163 nmi) f. Duration: 7 days Communications: All IMP-1 communications with ground are via the Shuttle RF links. 2. Prelaunch announcement. (This section covers only those reports that are sent directly to us by the national agencies.) Spacecraft Name: Japanese Earth Resources Satellite-1 (JERS-1) Planned Launch Date: February 3, 1992 Country: Japan Orbit Type: Sun Synchronous Orbit Period Apogee Perigee Inclination Weight ca.96 m ca.568 km ca.568 km ca.98 deg ca.1.4T (beginning of life) Coverage Cycle Duration Time of Descending Node Equator Crossing 44 days 10:30 - 11:00 am Nominal Transmitting Frequencies and Output Power 2220 MHz 0.21/0.054 w 1275 MHz 1490 w 8150/8350 MHz 20 w/ch Probability of Survival in 2 years: More than 0.7 Launching Organization: National Space Development Agency of Japan Spacecraft Mission: 1) To verify functions and performance of optical sensors and a synthetic aperture radar and to establish an integrated system for observing Earth's resources. 2) To perform observations and measurements for land survey, agriculture, forestry, fishery, environmental preservation, disaster prevention, and coastal surveillance. 3. Update information. 1991-080A (21795) STS-44 Initial orbital parameters: period 91.6 min, apogee 368 km, perigee 361 km, inclination 28.4 deg. The space shuttle Atlantis landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on December 1, 1991. 1991-079A (21789) COSMOS 2172 Initial orbital parameters: period 1463.2 min, apogee 36,334 km, perigee 36,304 km, inclination 1.4 deg. 1991-078A (21787) COSMOS 2171 Initial orbital parameters: period 89.1 min, apogee 306 km, perigee 186 km, inclination 62.8 deg.