SPX-461	1	March 24, 1992





     SPX-461        MARCH 25, 1992


                              SPACEWARN Activities
           (All information in this publication was received between
                        February 25, and March 24, 1992)


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

1992-014A (21908) SOYUZ TM-14  Mar 17    1992-011A (21897) MOLNIYA 1-83   Mar  4
     013A (21906) GALAXY 5     Mar 14         010B (21894) ARABSAT-1C     Feb 26
     012A (21902) COSMOS 2181  Mar  9         010A (21893) SPRBIRD-B1     Feb 26

B.  Text of Launching Announcements.

1992-014A  SOYUZ TM-14 was launched by the C.I.S from Baykonur cosmodrome, with
           three cosmonauts on board, and docked with the MIR station on March 19,
           1992.  They will conduct zero-gravity biological experiments.
  
1992-013A  GALAXY 5, a commercial communications spacecraft, was launched by the
           U.S.A. from Cape Canavaral by an Atlas rocket.  It carries 24 C-band
           transponders.  Initial orbital parameters are: period 653.9 min,
           apogee 36135 km, perigee 1092 km, and inclination 19.6 deg.

1992-012A  COSMOS 2181, a navigational satellite of the TSIKADA program,
           was launched by the C.I.S from Plesetsk cosmodrome. Initial orbital 
           parameters are: period 105 min, apogee 1,027 km, perigee 994 km, 
           and inclination 82.9 deg.

1992-011A  MOLNIYA 1-83, a communications satellite, was launched on March 4,
           1992 by the C.I.S. using a MOLNIYA booster rocket.  The satellite
           has been placed in a highly elliptical orbit with the following 
           initial orbital parameters are: period 11 hr 42 min, apogee 38,998 km
           in the Northern Hemisphere, perigee 629 km in the Southern Hemisphere,
           and inclination 62.9 deg.

1992-010B  ARABSAT-1C, a Saudi Arabian communications satellite, was launched on
           February 26, 1992 utilizing the same launch vehicle that launched
           SPRBIRD-B1.  Initial orbital parameters are: period 632.4 min, apogee
           35,832 km, perigee 222 km, and inclination 7.0 deg.

1992-010A  SPRBIRD-B1, a Japanese communications satellite, was launched on
           February 26, 1992 using the Ariane-44L launch vehicle from the Kourou
           Space Center, French Guiana.  Initial orbital parameters are: period
           631.3 min, apogee 35,776 km, perigee 222 km, and inclination 7.0 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;
* indicates updated information since the last issue.  SPACEWARN would
appreciate suggestions to update this list.)


Designations,          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/day.
                       Inclination: 14.0 deg
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)      December 21, 1991
GOES 2                 136.38 MHz
                       Location: 59.1 deg W
                       Inclination: 9.4 deg
1978-012A (10637)      December 26, 1991
IUE                    136.86 MHz
                       Inclination: 33.201 deg
1978-062A (10953)      November 2, 1991
GOES 3                 136.38 MHz
                       Location: 174.1 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
1981-122A (13010)      December 15, 1991
MARECS-A               137.17 MHz
                       Location 19.8 deg E
                       Inclination 4.7 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)      November 23, 1991
MARECS-B2              137.17 MHz
                       Location: 55.6 deg W
                       Inclination: 2.6 deg
1984-123A (15427)      January 5, 1992
NOAA 9                 137.62 MHz
                       Inclination: 99.158 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)      January 5, 1992
NOAA 10                137.50 MHz
                       Inclination: 98.549 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 W
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)      January 5, 1992
NOAA 11                136.77 MHz
                       137.77 MHz
                       Inclination: 99.059 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
1990-086A (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
COSMOS 2173            149.97 MHZ
                       388.84 MHz
                       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.)

Designations,          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
USA-35                 1575.42 MHz                 (2nd 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. 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.)


Designations,                                 Visual
National Name                                 Magnitudes Remarks

1963-047A (00649) CENTAUR 2                     3.0
1964-006A (00746) ELECTRON 1                    4.3
1964-053A (00876) COSMOS 44                     +4.0     cylinder
1965-008A (01001) TRANSTAGE 3                   3.3
1965-034A (01359) TRANSTAGE 4                   3.3
1965-089A (01726) GEOS 1                        ???      octahedron and pyramid,
                                                           0.81 x 1.22 m
1965-098C (01807) ALOUETTE 2 rocket             ???      gravitational field
1965-106A (01843) COSMOS 100                    4.2
1966-056H (08074) Debris of PAGEOS 1            1.6
1968-110B (03598) R/B of OAO-A2                 3.0
1968-002A (03093) GEOS 2                        ???      octahedron and pyramid,
                                                           0.81 x 1.22 m
1970-034B (04392) CHINA 1 rocket                ???      atmospheric winds
1970-089B (04597) R/B of COSMOS 374             3.3
1970-091B (04622) R/B of COSMOS 375             3.3
1970-103A (04786) COSMOS 382                    1.9
1970-113A (04813) COSMOS 389                    3.5
1971-016A (04966) COSMOS 398                2.3/3.7      atmospheric winds,
                                                           air density
1971-024A (05104) ISIS 2                        2.0
1971-089A (05560) ASTEX                         3.2
1971-093A (05580) PROSPERO                      4.3
1972-065B (06155) R/B of COPERNICUS (OAO-3)     3.0
1972-076A (06212) RADCAT 2                      2.7
1974-029A (07291) COSMOS 651                    3.8
1974-032A (07297) COSMOS 654                    3.5
1975-027A (07734) GEOS 3                        ???      octahedron and pyramid,
                                                           1.11 x 1.22 m
1975-072B (08063) COS-B second stage            ???      atmospheric winds
1975-124A (08519) METEOR 23                     4.5
1976-039A (08820) LAGEOS                        ???      sphere, 0.6 m diameter
1977-057A (10113) METEOR 1-28                   4.5
1978-064A (10967) SEASAT 1                  3.0/3.5
1978-067A (10973) COSMOS 1025                   3.5
1980-087B (12069) R/B FLTSATCOM 4               3.0
1980-089A (12054) COSMOS 1220                   2.4
1980-098B (12445) R/B of INTELSAT 5 F-2         3.0
1981-018B (12363) R/B of COMSTAR 4              3.0
1981-046B (12465) R/B of COSMOS 1271           -1.6
1981-050B (12497) R/B of INTELSAT 5 F-1         3.0
1981-075A (12645) INTERCOSMOS (BULGARIA 1300)   4.0
1981-119B (13007) R/B of INTELSAT 5 F-3         3.0
1983-004A (13777) IRAS                          4.2
1983-044A (14064) COSMOS 1461                   2.5
1983-061A (14147) COSMOS 1470                   3.0
1983-099A (14372) COSMOS 1500                   4.0
1983-115A (14521) COSMOS 1510                   4.5
1983-122A (14551) COSMOS 1515                   2.7
1984-013A (14699) COSMOS 1536                   3.8
1984-027A (14819) COSMOS 1544                   1.8
1984-106A (15333) COSMOS 1603                   3.5      gravitational field
1984-106G (17358) R/B (4) of COSMOS 1603        2.9
1984-108B (15354) ERBS                          4.5
1984-111A (15369) COSMOS 1606                   4.3
1984-122A (15423) USA-6 (KH 11-6)               2.5
1985-042D (15772) R/B (4) of COSMOS 1656        2.9
1985-047A (15821) COSMOS 1660                   4.8
1985-097B (16182) R/B of COSMOS 1697            2.5
1985-100B (16194) METEOR 3-01 rocket            ???      gravitational field
1986-017A (16609) MIR                          -0.4
1986-019C (16615) R/B of SPOT 1/VIKING          3.2
1986-055A (16881) COSMOS 1766                   3.3
1986-061A (16908) EGP                           4.3
1986-061C (16910) R/B of EGP/JAS-1              2.8
1986-094A (17177) COSMOS 1803                   4.7
1987-011A (17369) COSMOS 1818                   3.3
1987-018B (17528) R/B of MOS-1                  3.1
1987-020A (17535) COSMOS 1823                   4.8
1987-027B (17590) R/B of COSMOS 1833            2.5
1987-041B (17974) R/B of COSMOS 1844            2.5
1987-060A (18187) COSMOS 1867                   3.3
1987-090A (18441) USA-27 (KH 11-7)              2.5
1988-021B (18961) IRS-1A rocket                 ???      gravitational field
1988-039B (19120) R/B of COSMOS 1943            2.5
1988-056A (19274) OKEAN 1                       3.3
1988-078A (19460) USA-32                        3.3
1988-078B (19461) R/B of USA-32                 3.3
1988-099A (19625) USA-33 (KH 11-8)              2.5
1988-102B (19650) R/B of COSMOS 1980            0.7
1988-106B (19671) USA-34 (LACROSSE)             1.8
1989-026A (19911) USA-36 (DELTA STAR)           2.7
1989-058A (20147) COSMOS 2033                   2.4
1989-068A (20196) COSMOS 2037                   4.4
1989-080A (20261) INTERCOSMOS 24/ACTIVE         3.3
1989-089A (20322) COBE                          1.8/2.5
1990-005H (20443) R/B of SPOT-2                 3.1
1990-013D (20491) R/B of MOS-1B                 3.1
1990-019B (20516) USA-53                        2.0
1990-021A (20523) INTELSAT-6 F3                 3.0
1990-022A (20525) COSMOS 2060                   2.4
1990-037B (20580) HST                          -0.8
1990-046B (20625) R/B of COSMOS 2082            2.5
1990-049A (20638) ROSAT                         3.2/4.5
1990-058A (20683) GAMMA                         3.2
1990-075A (20765) COSMOS 2069                   2.4
1990-097B (20963) USA-67                        2.0
1990-108A (20985) COSMOS 2107                   2.4
1990-111B (21015) R/B of COSMOS 2112            2.5
1991-005A (21065) COSMOS 2122                   2.4
1991-017A (21147) USA-69 (LACROSSE 2)           1.8
1991-017B (21148) R/B of USA-69 (LACROSSE 2)    2.9
1991-024A (21213) ALMAZ-1                       2.2
1991-027B (21225) GRO                           2.8
1991-050F (21610) R/B of ERS-1                  3.1
1991-055A (21653) INTELSAT 6 F-5                3.0


    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 BEEN ELIMINATED.  ELIMINATION OR
ONLY OCCASIONAL PUBLICATION OF OTHER CATEGORIES IS ALSO LIKELY.

R. Parthasarathy
WDC-A-R&S



    5. Actual decays.  (Detailed information is not available.)

Designations       National Name 1992    Designations       National Name 1992

1961-RHO 3 (00166)               Mar  2  1986-019BV (17223)               Mar 16
1963-047B  (00696) ATLAS/CENTAUR Mar 20  1988-006C  (18846)               Mar 12
1970-025PB (17169)               Feb 28  1989-062D  (20171)               Mar  8
1972-058FS (08497)               Mar 16  1990-043G  (20613)               Mar  1
1975-004AS (08960)               Mar  8  1990-058A  (20683) GAMMA         Feb 28
1975-052DQ (21432)               Mar  3  1991-046F  (21541)               Feb 26
1976-085B  (09390) COSMOS 851 RB Mar 22  1991-049A  (21560) COSMOS 2153   Mar 13
1977-015A  (09853) COSMOS 895    Mar 22  1991-072B  (21744)               Mar 14
1978-024A  (10696) MOLNYA 1-39   Mar  9  1992-001A  (21844) COSMOS 2175   Mar 20
1980-051A  (11848) METEOR 1-30   Mar  1  1992-004A  (21851) PROGRSS M-11  Mar 13
1986-017FK (21810)               Feb 28  1992-011C  (21899) MOLNYA PLTFOM Mar 19
1986-017FV (21883)               Feb 25  1992-014B  (21909) SOYUZ TM14 RB Mar 19

D.  Launching Reports and Updated Information.

    1. Update information.

1992-009A (21890) USA-79
       Initial orbital parameters are: period 714.7, apogee 20,318 km, perigee
       19,913 km, and inclination 54.7 deg

