
DEAR COLLEAGUE,

WDC-A-R&S SHALL APPRECIATE IF YOU WILL SEND AN E-MAIL TO NSSDCA::REQUEST, TO
REMOVE YOUR NAME FROM THE MAILING LIST FOR THE HARD COPY OF THE BULLETIN.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.

                         *********************

    SPACEWARN BULLETIN


    SPX-448          Feburary 25, 1991	


                              SPACEWARN Activities
                              --------------------                          
        (All information in this publication was received between January 25
                             and Feburary 25, 1991.)

A.  List of New International Designations and Launch Dates.  (HQ USSPACECOM 
    Catalog numbers are in parentheses.)

    1991-012A (21118) MOLNIYA 1-80   Feb 15   009D (21103) COSMOS 2128    Feb 12
         011A (21116) COSMOS 2134    Feb 15   009C (21102) COSMOS 2127    Feb 12
         010A (21111) COSMOS 2133    Feb 14   009B (21101) COSMOS 2126    Feb 12
         009H (21107) COSMOS 2132    Feb 12   009A (21100) COSMOS 2125    Feb 12
         009G (21106) COSMOS 2131    Feb 12   008A (21092) COSMOS 2124    Feb  7
         009F (21105) COSMOS 2130    Feb 12   007A (21089) COSMOS 2123    Feb  5
         009E (21104) COSMOS 2129    Feb 12   006A (21087) INFORMATOR-1   Jan 29


B.  Text of Launching Announcements.  
    -------------------------------

1991-012A   MOLNIYA 1-80 was launched on February 15, 1991, by the U.S.S.R.
            using a Molniya rocket booster. The satellite will ensure long 
            distance telephone and telegraph radio communications. Initial
            orbital parameters: period 702 min, apogee 39,113 km, perigee 
            471 km, inclination 62.8 deg.   

1991-011A   COSMOS 2134 was launched BY the U.S.S.R. on February 15, 1991. 
     
1991-010A   COSMOS 2133 was launched BY the U.S.S.R. on February 14, 1991. 

1991-009A   COSMOS 2125 through 2132 were launched on February 12, 1991, by 
 through    the U.S.S.R. using a single COSMOS rocket booster. Initial orbital  
1991-009H   parameters: period 115.1 min, apogee 1495 km, perigee 1452 km, 
            inclination 74 deg.   

1991-008A   COSMOS 2124 was launched on February 7, 1991, by the U.S.S.R.
            using a SOYUZ rocket booster.  Initial orbital parameters: period 
            89.0 min, apogee 271 km, perigee 175 km, inclination 62.8 deg.   

1991-007A   COSMOS 2123 was launched on February 5, 1991, by the U.S.S.R.
            using a COSMOS rocket booster. The satellite is part of a space 
            navigational system created with the aim of determining the 
            location of naval and fishing vessels. Initial orbital parameters:
            period 104.9 min, apogee 1019 km, perigee 981 km, inclination 
            82.9 deg.   

1991-006A   INFORMATOR-1 was launched on January 29, 1991, by the U.S.S.R. 
            using a COSMOS rocket booster. The satellite carries experimental 
            equipment designed to collect and transmit information in the 
            interest of the Soviet Ministry of Geology. Initial orbital 
            parameters: period 104.8 min, distance from earth's surface 
            1,000 km, inclination 83 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.  Square bracket 
 indicates updated information since the last issue.  Spacewarn would 
 appreciate suggestions to update this list.)

                             Frequency, Power,              
Designation  National Name   and Orbit Information      Remarks
-----------  -------------   ---------------------      -------
                                                                      
1966-110A    ATS 1           June 16, 1988              Weak signals.  VHF   
                             137.35 MHz                 translator on ~12 hr/
                             Inclination: 14.0 deg      day.    
1967-111A    ATS 3           June 16, 1988              Weak signals.
                             136.37 MHz                
                             137.35 MHz 
                             Location: 105 deg W               
                             Inclination: 12.1 deg      
1973-081A    OSCAR (NAV) 20  September 15, 1988         Operational transit.
                             150 MHz at 0.75 W          (Also known as NNSS
                             400 MHz at 1.25 W           30200)
                             Inclination: 89.9 deg
1975-100A    GOES 1          December 27, 1990
                             136.38 MHz  
                             Location: 91.1 deg W
                             Inclination: 10.1 deg
1977-014A    KIKU 2          October 9, 1990      	(Also known as ETS 2)
                             136.11 MHz                 
                             Location: 127.1 deg E          
                             Inclination: 9.4 deg
1977-048A    GOES 2          December 30, 1990
                             136.38 MHz                 
                             Location: 60.3 deg W
                             Inclination: 8.6 deg
1978-012A    IUE             January 7, 1991
                             136.86 MHz  
                             Inclination: 32.653 deg
1978-062A    GOES 3          November 11, 1990
                             136.38 MHz
                             Location: 176.0 deg W
                             Inclination: 7.3 deg
1981-044A    NOVA I          September 15, 1988         Operational transit.
                             150 MHz at 3.00 W          (Also known as NNSS
                             400 MHz at 5.00 W           30480)
                             Inclination: 90.0 deg         
*[1981-057A   METEOSAT 2     February 7, 1991]           
                            [137.078 MHz]              
                            [Location: 10 deg W]
                            [Inclination: 3.8 deg]
1984-110A    NOVA III        September 15, 1988         Operational transit.
                             150 MHz at 3.00 W          (Also known as NNSS
                             400 MHz at 5.00 W           30500)         
                             Inclination: 90.0 deg         
1984-114B    MARECS-B2       December 26, 1990  
                             137.17 MHz                   
                             Location: 55.5 deg W         
                             Inclination: 1.8 deg       
1984-123A    NOAA 9          January 9, 1991
                             137.62 MHz                  
                             Inclination: 99.172 deg
1985-066A    OSCAR (NAV) 24  September 15, 1988         Removed from service at 
                             150 MHz at 0.75 W          1956z on September 1,
                             400 MHz at 1.25 W          1990.
                             Inclination: 89.9 deg      (Also known as NNSS 24)
1985-066B    OSCAR (NAV) 30  September 15, 1988         Commanded to operational
                             150 MHz at 1.00 W          frequencies on September
                             400 MHz at 2.00 W          5, 1990 and placed in
                             Inclination: 89.9 deg      service on September 7,
                                                        1990.
                                                        (Also known as NNSS 30)
1986-073A    NOAA 10         January 3, 1991
                             137.50 MHz                  
                             Inclination: 98.582 deg
1986-088A    POLAR BEAR      September 15, 1988         Experimental.       
                             150 MHz at 0.75 W          (Also known as NNSS
                             400 MHz at 1.25 W           30170)        
                             Inclination: 89.9 deg         
1987-080A    OSCAR (NAV) 27  December 5, 1988           Operational transit.
                             150 MHz at 0.75 W          (Also known as NNSS
                             400 MHz at 1.25 W           30270)   
                             Inclination: 90.3 deg        
1987-080B    OSCAR (NAV) 29  December 5, 1988           Stored in orbit at an
                             150 MHz at 0.75 W          offset frequency.
                             400 MHz at 1.25 W          (Also known as NNSS   
                             Inclination: 90.3 deg       30290) 
1988-033A    OSCAR (NAV) 23  January 31, 1989           Operational transit.
                             150 MHz at 0.75 W          (Also known as NNSS
                             400 MHz at 1.25 W           30230)   
                             Inclination: 90.4 deg         
1988-033B    OSCAR (NAV) 32  September 15, 1988         Stored in orbit at an
                             150 MHz at 1.00 W          offset frequency.
                             400 MHz at 2.00 W          (Also known as NNSS 
                             Inclination: 90.4 deg       30320) 
*[1988-051A   METEOSAT 3     February 7, 1991           Turned-on when beacon]
                            [137.080 MHz                of METEOSAT 2 is] 
                            [Location: 3 deg W          turned-off and vice]
                                                       [versa.]
1988-052A    NOVA II         September 15, 1988         Operational transit.
                             150 MHz at 3.00 W          (Also known as NNSS 
                             400 MHz at 5.00 W           30490)        
                             Inclination: 90.0 deg         
1988-074A    OSCAR (NAV) 25  September 15, 1988         Stored in orbit at an
                             150 MHz at 0.75 W          offset frequency.
                             400 MHz at 1.25 W          (Also known as NNSS
                             Inclination: 90.0 deg       30250)
1988-074B    OSCAR (NAV) 31  March 8, 1990              Stored in orbit at an
                             150 MHz at 1.00 W          offset frequency.
                             400 MHz at 2.00 W          (Also known as NNSS
                             Inclination: 98.971 deg     30130)  
1988-089A    NOAA 11         January 11, 1991
                             136.77 MHz                  
                             137.77 MHz
                             Inclination: 99.010 deg


* Updates supplied by Dr. Piero Beni, IROE-CNR Firenze (Italy)

    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 should 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.)  

     Objects predicted to decay within 60 days from February 21, 1991
     -----------------------------------------------------------------

                           Expected Decay Dates 1991
		           ------------------------

     1968-091Z                 Apr 16	1983-044AL                Apr 04
     1971-015BJ                Feb 27	1986-017CV                Mar 21
     1971-015CM                Mar 04	1986-017CW                Mar 11
     1971-015DT                Mar 03	1986-017CX                Mar 01
     1972-058DJ                Apr 07	1986-019KN                Mar 02
     1972-058L                 Mar 22	1989-045B                 Mar 29
     1972-058FG                Mar 10	1989-096B                 Mar 03
     1976-126BH                Mar 09	1990-096A  (COSMOS 2103)  Apr 16
     1979-014AL                Feb 27	1990-104E                 Mar 11
     1980-030W                 Feb 25	1990-104F                 Mar 20
     1980-030AH                Mar 25	1990-104H                 Mar 18
     1981-053AA                Mar 10	1990-113A  (COSMOS 2113)  Mar 07
     1981-053EN                Apr 20	1991-005A  (COSMOS 2122)  Apr 05
     1981-100A  (SME)          Mar 04	1991-008A  (COSMOS 2124)  Feb 25


    5. Actual decays.
       -------------
 
                           Actual Decay Dates 1990
                           ------------------------

     1971-015BY                Dec 28	1990-104J                 Nov 11
     1981-028BP                Dec 31	1990-115C                 Dec 28


                            Actual Decay Dates 1991
                            -----------------------

     1961-OMI178               Feb 03	1989-100Y                 Feb 08
     1965-082N                 Jan 27	1989-100Z                 Feb 12
     1965-082UP                Feb 08	1989-100AA                Feb 12
     1968-049B                 Jan 26	1989-100AB                Feb 12
     1970-25JB                 Jan 17	1990-011B                 Feb 18
     1971-015AU                Feb 13	1990-081AB                Jan 10
     1973-086CP                Jan 26	1990-104C                 Feb 21
     1974-089BE                Jan 10	1990-105C                 Feb 06
     1980-030AP                Feb 18	1990-105G                 Feb 16
     1980-089AK                Feb 06	1990-105H                 Jan 10
     1981-028BF                Feb 04	1990-105M                 Jan 30
     1981-028BR                Feb 04	1990-105N                 Feb 02
     1981-053EL                Feb 01	1990-105T                 Feb 09
     1981-057E                 Jan 17	1990-105U                 Feb 21
     1982-033A  (SALYUT 7)     Feb 07	1990-109A  (COSMOS 2108)  Jan 26
     1983-044DC                Feb 13	1990-115D                 Jan 18
     1983-044EY                Feb 12	1990-115F                 Jan 25
     1985-086A  (COSMOS 1686)  Feb 07	1991-004A  (COSMOS 2121)  Feb 10
     1986-017CT                Feb 04	1991-004B                 Jan 19
     1986-017CU                Feb 05	1991-004D                 Feb 12
     1986-019GF                Feb 03	1991-004E                 Feb 12
     1986-019MC                Feb 15	1991-004F                 Feb 14
     1986-019VD                Feb 11	1991-004G                 Feb 11
     1987-020BH                Jan 17	1991-005B                 Jan 18
     1987-020BR                Feb 01	1991-008B                 Feb 11
     1987-020DA                Jan 17	1991-008C                 Feb 08
     1987-020DL                Feb 17	1991-010B                 Feb 16
     1988-038A  (COSMOS 2033)  Jan 06	1991-010C                 Feb 16
     1989-027B                 Feb 19	1991-011B                 Feb 18
     1989-100V                 Feb 06	1991-011C                 Feb 16
     1989-100X                 Feb 07	1991-012C                 Feb 22
