SPACEWARN BULLETIN, SPX-491 A publication of NASA NSSDC/WDC-A-R&S on behalf of IUWDS/COSPAR 25 September 1994 ****************************************************************** (All information in this publication was received between August 25, 1994, and September 24, 1994.) A. List of New International Designations and Launch Dates. (USSPACECOM Catalog numbers are in parentheses.) 1994-060A (23267) COSMOS 2291 Sep 21 -059B (23253) SPARTAN 1 Sep 13 -059A (23251) STS 64 Sep 09 -058A (23249) TELSTAR 402 Sep 09 -057A (23233) USA 106 Aug 29 -056A (23230) ETS 6 Aug 28 -055A (23227) OPTUS B3 Aug 27 -054A (23223) USA 105 Aug 27 -053A (23218) COSMOS 2290 Aug 26 -052A (23215) PROGRESS M-24 Aug 25 B. Text of Launch Announcements. 1994-060A COSMOS 2291, a Russian military geostationary spacecraft, was launched from Baykonur cosmodrome by a Proton rocket at 17:53 UT. 1994-059B SPARTAN 1 (also known as SPARTAN 201), a U.S.A. spacecraft, was released from STS 64 on 13 September and was captured back after a few days. It carried optical instruments to measure the speed and acceleration of the solar wind in the corona. Orbital parameters were nearly the same as those of STS 64. 1994-059A STS 64, a U.S.A. shuttle spacecraft, was launched from Cape Canaveral. A major payload on board was the SPARTAN sub-satellite that was released from the shuttle on 13 September. Also on board were 12 Get Away Special (GAS) experiments designed and built by high school and university students, an Orbit Stability Experiment (OSE), and a Robot Operated Materials Processing System (ROMPS). Initial orbital parameters were period 89.5 min, apogee 269 km, perigee 259 km, and inclination 56.9 deg. 1994-058A TELSTAR 402, a U.S.A. geostationary communications spacecraft, was launched by an Ariane rocket from Kourou in French Guiana. However, the spacecraft could not be contacted soon after launch. Its backup, now named TELSTAR 402-R, is being readied for a launch in early 1995. 1994-057A USA 106, better known as DMSP F-12, is a U.S.A. science (and military) spacecraft that was launched by an Atlas-E rocket from Vandenberg AFB at 14:38 UT. It carried instruments to measure energetic particles in the magnetosphere and photometers to scan auroral displays; the instrument packages are believed to be similar to the ones in the earlier DMSP missions. Initial orbital parameters were period 101.9 min, apogee 856 km, perigee 839 km, and inclination 98.9 deg. 1994-056A ETS 6, a Japanese engineering test spacecraft, was launched by an H-2 rocket into an elliptical transfer orbit. However, the thrusters on board could not move it to the planned geostationary orbit. Initial orbital parameters were period 639 min, apogee 36,150 km, perigee 366 km, and inclinations 28.6 deg. A limited number of engineering tests could still be carried from the elliptical orbit of the spacecraft whose post-launch name is KIKU 6. 1994-055A OPTUS B3, an Australian geostationary communications spacecraft, was launched by a Long March 2E rocket from Xichang in southwest P.R.C. at 21:10 UT. The spacecraft is expected to provide telephone, TV, and mobile communications, and air traffic control services across Australia and New Zealand. 1994-054A USA 105, a U.S.A. military spacecraft, was launched by a Titan 4/ Centaur booster from Cape Canaveral AFB. 1994-053A COSMOS 2290, a Russian military spacecraft, was launched from Baykonur cosmodrome by a Zenith rocket at 12:00 UT. Initial orbital parameters were period 89.6 min, apogee 315 km, perigee 220 km, and inclination 64.8 deg. 1994-052A PROGRESS M-24, a Russian automatic cargo ship, was launched from Baykonur cosmodrome. It carried supplies to the MIR station. After repeated failures to dock automatically, it was manually hauled to dock by a MIR cosmonaut. Initial launch parameters were period 88.5 min, apogee 238 km, perigee 192 km, and inclination 51.6 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; an asterisk [*] indicates updated/new information since the last issue. Updates or corrections to the list will be most welcomed.] Designations, Epoch, Frequency, Power, National Name and Orbit Information Remarks 1964-83D (965) February 1, 1993 TRANSIT 5BN 5 136.65 MHz Inclination: 89.76 deg 1966-110A (02608) June 16, 1988 [Weak signals. VHF translator ATS 1 137.35 MHz 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 1971-93A (5580) February 1, 1993 X 3 137.56 MHz Inclination: 82.05 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) October 24, 1993 GOES 2 136.38 MHz Location: 135.95 deg W Inclination: 9.4 deg 1978-012A (10637) December 26, 1991 IUE 136.86 MHz Inclination: 33.201 deg 1978-062A (10953) October 24, 1993 [Frequency drifts caused by GOES 3 136.38 MHz temperature variations.] Location: 176.2 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) March 21, 1993 MARECS-A 137.17 MHz Location: 22.8 deg E Inclination: 5.7 deg 1984-110A (15362) December 24, 1992 [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 (15386) March 21, 1993 MARECS-B2 137.17 MHz Location: 14.9 deg W Inclination: 3.6 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 1986-088A (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 1987-18A (17527) February 1, 1993 MOS 1A 136.11 MHz Inclination: 99.09 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 (19215) March 31, 1993 [Transmits on command.] METEOSAT 3 137.080 MHz Location: 72.8 deg W Inclination: 0.7 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) January 5, 1992 NOAA 11 136.77 MHz 137.77 MHz Inclination: 99.059 deg 1990-13A (20478) February 1, 1993 MOS 1B 136.11 MHz Inclination: 99.09 deg 1990-017A (20508) August 6, 1994 [INACTIVE. Replaced by NADEZHDA 2 150 MHz NADEZHDA 4.] 400 MHz Inclination: 82.955 deg 1990-086A (20826) October 27, 1991 METEOR 2-20 137.850 MHz Inclination: 82.530 deg 1991-06A (21087) January 1, 1993 INFORMATOR 1 145.815 MHz Inclination: 82.94 deg 1991-86E (21835) February 1, 1993 MAGION 3 137.85 MHz Inclination: 82.57 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 1991-030A (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 1991-081A (21796) December 6, 1993 [INACTIVE. COSMOS 2173 149.97 MHZ Replaced by COSMOS 2239.] 388.84 MHz Inclination: 82.955 deg 1992-008A (21875) May 25, 1994 [INACTIVE. COSMOS 2180 149.94 MHz Replaced by COSMOS 2279.] 399.84 MHz Inclination: 82.931 deg 1992-020A (21937) December 24, 1992 COSMOS 2184 149.91 MHz 399.76 MHz Inclination: 82.934 deg 1992-036A (22006) December 6, 1993 [INACTIVE. Replaced by COSMOS 2195 149.97 MHz reactivated COSMOS 2135 on 399.92 MHz August 3, 1993.] Inclination: 82.934 deg 1992-073A (22207) November 3, 1992 [Replacing 1991-059A, COSMOS 2218 149.94 MHz COSMOS 2154, in plane #3 399.84 MHz on November 4, 1992.] Inclination: 82.923 deg 1993-001A (22307) January 1, 1993 [Replacing 1992-12A, COSMOS COSMOS 2230 150.00 MHz 2181, in plane #11 on 400.00 MHz January 20, 1993.] Inclination: 82.945 deg 1993-008A (22487) February 18, 1993 [Replacing 1991-029A, COSMOS COSMOS 2233 150.03 MHz 2142, in plane #5 on February 400.08 MHz 17, 1993.] Inclination: 82.944 deg 1993-020A (22590) December 6, 1993 [Replacing 1991-081A, COSMOS COSMOS 2239 149.97 MHz 2173, in plane #4 on April 7, 399.84 MHz 1993.] Inclination: 82.93 deg 1993-070A (22888) December 6, 1993 [Replacing 1991-59A, COSMOS COSMOS 2266 149.97 MHz 2135, in plane #1 on November 399.84 MHz 10, 1993.] Inclination: 82.95 deg 1994-024A (23092) May 25, 1994 [Replacing 1992-08A, COSMOS 2279 149.94 MHz COSMOS 2180, in plane #6 399.84 MHz on May 11, 1994.] Inclination: 82.946 deg 1994-041A (23179) July 16, 1994 [Replacing NADEZHDA, NADEZHDA 4 150.00 MHz 1990-017A, in plane #14 400.00 MHz on July 28, 1994.] Inclination: 82.946 deg 2. Global Positioning System satellites useful for navigational purposes and geodetic studies. ("NNN" denotes no national name. SPACEWARN Bulletin appreciates suggestions to update this list. An asterisk [*] denotes changes in this issue.) Designations, Epoch, Frequency, National Name and Orbit Information Remarks 1984-097A (15271) September 9, 1991 [Also known as NAVSTAR 10 and USA 5 1575.42 MHz GPS 10. PRN: 12.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 62.973 deg 1985-093A (16129) September 8, 1991 [Also known as NAVSTAR 11 USA 10 1575.42 MHz and GPS 11. PRN: 3.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 64.115 deg 1989-013A (19802) August 17, 1991 [Also known as GPS 2-1 USA 35 1575.42 MHz (Second Generation Global 1227.60 MHz Positioning Satellite) and Inclination: 55.033 deg NAVSTAR 14. PRN: 14.] 1989-044A (20061) August 19, 1991 [Also known as GPS 2-2 and USA 38 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 13. PRN: 2.] 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 16. PRN: 16.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 54.873 deg 1989-085A (20302) August 26, 1994 [Also known as GPS 2-4 and USA 47 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 19. PRN: 19.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 54.368 deg 1989-097A (20361) August 26, 1994 [Also known as GPS 2-5 and USA 49 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 17. PRN: 17.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 55.058 deg 1990-008A (20452) August 23, 1991 [Also known as GPS 2-6 USA 50 1575.42 MHz and NAVSTAR 18. PRN: 18.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 54.329 deg 1990-025A (20533) August 26, 1994 [Also known as GPS 2-7 USA 54 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 20. PRN: 20.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 55.202 deg 1990-068A (20724) August 23, 1991 [Also known as GPS 2-8 USA 63 1575.42 MHz and NAVSTAR 21. PRN: 21.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 54.671 deg 1990-088A (20830) August 24, 1991 [Also known as GPS 2-9 USA 64 1575.42 MHz and NAVSTAR 15. PRN: 15.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 54.984 deg 1990-103A (20959) September 4, 1994 [Also known as GPS 2-10, USA 66 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-1, and NAVSTAR 23. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 23.] Inclination: 54.893 deg 1991-047A (21552) September 4, 1994 [Also known as GPS 2-11, USA 71 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-2, and NAVSTAR 24. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 24.] Inclination: 55.275 deg 1992-009A (21890) September 4, 1994 [Also known as GPS 2-12, USA 79 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-3, and NAVSTAR 25. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 25.] Inclination: 55.57 deg 1992-019A (21930) September 4, 1994 [Also known as GPS 2-13, USA 80 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-4, and NAVSTAR 28. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 28.] Inclination: 55.24 deg 1992-039A (22014) September 4, 1994 [Also known as GPS 2-14, USA 83 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-5, and NAVSTAR 26. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 26.] Inclination: 55.04 deg 1992-058A (22108) September 4, 1994 [Also known as GPS 2-15, USA 84 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-6,and NAVSTAR 27. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 27.] Inclination: 54.78 deg 1992-079A (22231) September 4, 1994 [Also known as GPS 2-16, USA 85 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-7, and NAVSTAR 32. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 1.] Inclination: 53.50 deg 1992-089A (22275) September 4, 1994 [Also known as GPS 2-17, USA 87 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-8,and NAVSTAR 29. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 29.] Inclination: 54.74 deg 1993-007A (22446) September 4, 1994 [Also known as GPS 2-18, USA 88 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-9, and NAVSTAR 22. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 22.] Inclination: 54.83 deg 1993-017A (22581) September 4, 1994 [Also known as GPS 2-19, USA 90 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-10, and NAVSTAR 31. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 31.] Inclination: 54.80 1993-032A (22657) September 4, 1994 [Also known as GPS 2-20, USA 91 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-11, and NAVSTAR 37. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 7.] Inclination: 54.97 deg 1993-042A (22700) September 4, 1994 [Also known as GPS 2-21, USA 92 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-12, and NAVSTAR 39. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 9.] Inclination: 54.70 deg 1993-054A (22779) September 4, 1994 [Also known as GPS 2-22, USA 94 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-13, and NAVSTAR 35. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 5.] Inclination: 54.90 deg 1993-068A (22877) August 26, 1994 [Also known as GPS 2-23, USA 96 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-14,and NAVSTAR 34. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 4] Inclination: 54.90 1994-016A (23027) August 26, 1994 [Also known as GPS 2-24; USA 100 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-15,and NAVSTAR 36. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 6] The GPS 2-NN series orbit in six distinct planes that are 60 deg apart. Each plane has four "slots." Following are the members of the planes/slots. The RAAN pertains to August 1994 and reduces a little each month. PLANE RAAN OF PLANE SLOT-1 SLOT-2 SLOT-3 SLOT-4 A 256 2-21 2-12 2-15 2-04 B 316 2-18 2-07 2-02 2-22 C 16 2-24 2-13 2-19 2-20 D 76 2-11 2-09 2-05 2-23 E 136 2-01 2-08 2-03 2-10 F 196 2-16 2-14 2-06 2-17 3. Actual decays/landings of payload spacecraft and rocket bodies (R/B) only. No further information is available. Designations Common Name 1994 1994-060B (23268) R/B COSMOS 2291 25 Sep 1984-029D (14830) R/B MOLNIYA 1-60 22 Sep 1994-059A (23251) STS 64 Returned on 20 Sep 1994-059B (23253) SPARTAN 1 Returned on 20 Sep 1990-008C (20450) R/B USA 50 19 Sep 1994-053B (23219) R/B COSMOS 2290 14 Sep 1994-037A (23145) FSW 2 13 Sep 1994-044A (23187) COSMOS 2284 11 Sep 1994-052B (23216) R/B PROGRESS M24 27 Aug 1992-072B (22206) R/B GALAXY 7 26 Aug 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.) NSSDC/WDC-A-R&S is an archival center for science data from many spacecraft. Some data are on line for electronic access. Please contact Request Office, NSSDC, Code 633, NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt, Maryland, 20771, U.S.A., for specific information. SPACEWARN BULLETIN ------------------- This bulletin is intended to serve as an international communication mechanism for the rapid distribution of information on satellites and space probes. The material it contains is based on guidelines in "COSPAR Guide to Rocket and Satellite Information and Data Exchange," COSPAR Transactions #8, December 1972, and various Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) resolutions. The SPACEWARN Bulletin is issued to COSPAR's national contacts for satellite information, Satellite Regional Warning Centers, and various leaders and participants in COSPAR activities. Recipients are requested to arrange for any further appropriate distribution of this bulletin to interested individuals and institutions in their regions or countries. All bulletins beginning with January 1991 (SPX-447) are now available on line; the SPX number increases by one for each succeeding month (for example, the January 1993 bulletin is SPX-471). Through DECnet: at prompt type:copy nssdca::anon_dir:[active.spx]spx.471 *.* Through FTP: at prompt type: ftp nssdca.gsfc.nasa.gov at the next prompt type: anonymous at the PASSWORD (NSSDCA.GSFC.GOV.ANONYMOUS) prompt hit: return at the next prompt type: get anon_dir:[000000.active.spx]spx.471 spx.471 The Bulletin may also be accessed through World Wide Web (WWW). Users are urged to submit their comments and suggestions for the improvement of this bulletin to Spacewarn Bulletin, World Data Center-A for Rockets and Satellites, Code 930.2, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771 U.S.A. CATEGORIES OF SPACECRAFT To improve the effectiveness of international distribution of satellite and space probe information via the SPACEWARN system, spacecraft are identified in categories according to the urgency and detail of information needed by the scientific community as: CATEGORY I: Spacecraft particularly suited for international participation, especially those for which prior arrangements have been circulated through COSPAR channels: essentially continuous satellite radio beacons usually on frequencies less than 150 MHz designed for cooperative ionospheric experiments; satellites with continuous telemetry of scientific experiments. Some of these may be balloon satellites, flashing satellites, or satellites in orbits of particular interest for which optical observations from the ground constitute a scientific experiment. CATEGORY II: Space experiments of unusual general scientific or popular interest: manned space flights or space probes if not for some reason included in Category I. CATEGORY III: All other space experiments: satellites with command telemetry only, test vehicles, etc., if not included in Category I or II. The SPACEWARN Bulletin contains the following information. Please note the accompanying explanations, where appropriate, as to coverage and sources of information since this is not repeated in the text. A. List of Recent International Designations. This list continues the tables given in previous bulletins.It also confirms the tentative designations assigned by the IUWDS World Warning Agency for Satellites acting on behalf of COSPAR via telegrams distributed over the SPACEWARN system. B. Texts of Launching Announcements. This section gives the texts of launching announcements of satellites and space probes received by the IUWDS World Warning Agency for Satellites at the NSSDC/WDC-A-R&S during the previous month. C. Spacecraft Particularly Suited for International Participation (Category I). These data are based on launching announcements or on information received from individuals, launching authorities, FBIS reports, and news magazines. Also included are decays of major objects, and miscellanous items.