SPX-498 April 25, 1995 SPACEWARN BULLETIN 498 A publication of NASA NSSDC/WDC-A-R&S as the WWAS for IUWDS/COSPAR (All information in this publication was received between March 25, 1995, and April 24, 1995.) A. List of New International Designations and Launch Dates. (USSPACECOM Catalog numbers are in parentheses.) 1995-020A (23555) PROGRESS M-24 Apr 09 1995-019A (23553) MSAT Apr 07 1995-018A (23549) OFEQ 3 Apr 05 1995-017C (23547) MICROLAB 1 Apr 03 1995-017B (23546) ORBCOMM FM2 Apr 03 1995-017A (23545) ORBCOMM FM1 Apr 03 1995-016B (23537) HOT BIRD 1 Mar 28 1995-016A (23536) BRASILSAT-B2 Mar 28 1995-015A (23533) USA 109 Mar 24 B. Text of Launch Announcements. 1995-020A PROGRESS M-24, a Russian cargo spacecraft was launched by a Soyuz-U (-V ?) rocket from Baykonur cosmodrome at 19:34 UT to dock with and transfer 2.4 tonnes of supplies to the MIR space station; it docked at 21:01 UT on April 11. Initial orbital parameters were period 88.6 min, apogee 242 km, perigee 193 km, and inclination 51.6 deg. 1995-019A MSAT is an American spacecraft. No information on the payload is available. Initial orbital parameters were period 721 min, apogee 20,334 km, perigee 20,176 km, and inclination 26.4 deg. 1995-018A OFEQ 3 is an Israeli surveillance satellite that was launched westward by a Shavit launcher at 11:16 UT from the Palmahim launch site. Initial orbital parameters of the 189 kg/180 W spacecraft were period 95.6 min, apogee 729 km, perigee 367 km, and inclination 143.3 deg. 1995-017C MICROLAB 1 is an American minisatellite that was launched by a Pegasus rocket carried aloft by an L-1011 aircraft flying out of Vandenberg AFB. The main instrument is a global lightning mapper; the other is a radio receiver to monitor the transmission from any GPS spacecraft that appears near the horizon and to infer the temperature and humidity in its path. Initial orbital parameters were period 99.6 min, apogee 747 km, perigee 734 km, and inclination 69.9 deg. 1995-017B, ORBCOMM FM2 and ORBCOMM FM1 are American minisatellites 1995-017A that were launched by the same Pegasus rocket which launched the MICROLAB 1. The main payload is a transponder to relay the GPS-determined locations of cargo trucks, and data from oil pipeline monitors. Both spacecraft are currently experiencing transmission or reception problems; efforts are underway to remedy the problems. The initial orbital parameters were period 99.6 min, apogee 747 km, perigee 734 km, and inclination 69.9 deg. 1995-016B HOT BIRD 1 is a geostationary communications spacecraft of the European EUTELSAT consortium that was launched along with BRASILSAT-B2. After parking at 13-E longitude, it will provide live television (only) coverage to the European and Mediterranean countries. 1995-016A BRASILSAT-B2 is a Brazilian geostationary communications spacecraft that was launched by an Ariane rocket from Kourou, French Guiana, at 23:14 UT. After parking at 65-W longitude, the 1,780 kg spcecraft will provide telephone, television, and data transmission services to Brazil and its southern neighbors by means of 24 C-Band and several X-Band transponders. 1995-015A USA 109, better known as DMSP/F13, is an American science/military spacecraft that was launched from Vandenberg AFB by an Atlas-E rocket at 14:05 UT. It carries the same set of instruments that have been carried in the earlier DMSPs: imaging photometers, electron/ ion flux monitors, and others. Initial orbital parameters were period 101.9 min, apogee 851 km, perigee 845 km, and inclination 98.8 deg. C. Spacecraft Particularly Suited for International Participation. 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 Remarks and Orbit Information 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 29, 1995 NOAA 9 137.62 MHz (Inoperative) 137.77 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) October 28, 1994 NOAA 10 137.50 MHz 136.77 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 29, 1995 NOAA 11 137.62 MHz (Inoperative) 137.77 MHz (Inoperative?) 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, 1994 NOAA 12 137.500 MHz 136.770 MHz Inclination: 98.723 deg 1992-056A (21655) January 29, 1995 METEOR 3-5 137.85 MHz Inclination 82.55 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 1994-089A (23455) January 29, 1995 NOAA 14 137.62 MHz 137.77 MHz Inclination: 98.9 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) March 30, 1995 [Also known as NAVSTAR 10 USA 5 1575.42 MHz GPS 10. PRN: 12.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 62.2 deg 1985-093A (16129) March 30, 1995 [Also known as NAVSTAR 11 USA 10 1575.42 MHz and GPS 11. PRN: 3.] 1227.60 MHz DEACTIVATED ON 13 April,94. Inclination: 64.1 deg 1989-013A (19802) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-1 USA 35 1575.42 MHz (Second Generation Global 1227.60 MHz Positioning Satellite) and Inclination: 55.2 deg NAVSTAR 14. PRN: 14.] 1989-044A (20061) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-2 and USA 38 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 13. PRN: 2.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 54.5 deg 1989-064A (20185) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-3 and USA 42 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 16. PRN: 16.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 55.0 deg 1989-085A (20302) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-4 and USA 47 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 19. PRN: 19.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 53.4 deg 1989-097A (20361) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-5 and USA 49 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 17. PRN: 17.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 55.7 deg 1990-008A (20452) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-6 USA 50 1575.42 MHz and NAVSTAR 18. PRN: 18.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 54.0 deg 1990-025A (20533) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-7 and USA 54 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 20. PRN: 20.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 54.9 deg 1990-068A (20724) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-8 USA 63 1575.42 MHz and NAVSTAR 21. PRN: 21.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 54.8 deg 1990-088A (20830) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-9 USA 64 1575.42 MHz and NAVSTAR 15. PRN: 15.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 55.6 deg 1990-103A (20959) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-10, USA 66 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-1, and NAVSTAR 23. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 23.] Inclination: 55.0 deg 1991-047A (21552) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-11, USA 71 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-2, and NAVSTAR 24. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 24.] Inclination: 55.9 deg 1992-009A (21890) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-12, USA 79 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-3, and NAVSTAR 25. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 25.] Inclination: 54.0 deg 1992-019A (21930) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-13, USA 80 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-4, and NAVSTAR 28. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 28.] Inclination: 55.7 deg 1992-039A (22014) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-14, USA 83 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-5, and NAVSTAR 26. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 26.] Inclination: 54.9 deg 1992-058A (22108) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-15, USA 84 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-6,and NAVSTAR 27. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 27.] Inclination: 54.2 deg 1992-079A (22231) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-16, USA 85 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-7, and NAVSTAR 32. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 1.] Inclination: 54.7 deg 1992-089A (22275) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-17, USA 87 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-8,and NAVSTAR 29. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 29.] Inclination: 54.6 deg 1993-007A (22446) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-18, USA 88 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-9, and NAVSTAR 22. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 22.] Inclination: 54.5 deg 1993-017A (22581) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-19, USA 90 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-10, and NAVSTAR 31. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 31.] Inclination: 55.2 deg 1993-032A (22657) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-20, USA 91 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-11, and NAVSTAR 37. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 7.] Inclination: 55.2 deg 1993-042A (22700) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-21, USA 92 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-12, and NAVSTAR 39. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 9.] Inclination: 54.4 deg 1993-054A (22779) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-22, USA 94 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-13, and NAVSTAR 35. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 5.] Inclination: 54.6 deg 1993-068A (22877) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-23, USA 96 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-14,and NAVSTAR 34. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 4.] Inclination: 55.2 deg 1994-016A (23027) March 30, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-24, USA 100 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-15,and NAVSTAR 36. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 6.] Inclination: 55.1 deg *The GPS 2-NN series orbit in six distinct planes that are about 60 deg apart. Each plane has four "slots." Following are the 2-NN members in the planes/ slots. The RAAN decreases by about 1.0 deg each month; below are their 30 March longitudes. PLANE RAAN OF PLANE SLOT-1 SLOT-2 SLOT-3 SLOT-4 A 245 2-21 2-12 2-15 2-04 B 305 2-18 2-07 2-02 2-22 C 6 2-24 2-13 2-19 2-20 D 69 2-11 2-09 2-05 2-23 E 129 2-01 2-08 2-03 2-10 F 186 2-16 2-14 2-06 2-17 3. Russian Global Navigational (Positioning) Spacecraft, GLONASS constellation. (SPACEWARN requests updates/additions from readers to this list. Entries marked "*" are updates or additions to the list.) All GLONASS spacecraft are in the general COSMOS series. The COSMOS numbers invoked by USSPACECOM have often differed from the numbers associated in Russia; when different, the USSPACECOM COSMOS numbers are shown in parentheses. The corresponding GLONASS numbers are Russian numbers. (See SPX.496 for the GLONASS numbers commonly attributed outside Russia.) The operating frequencies in MHz are computed from the channel number K. Frequencies (MHz) are L1 = 1602.0 + 0.5625K, and L2 = 1246.0 + 0.4375K. The Spacewarn Bulletin thanks Michael G. Lebedev, Head of CSIC, Russian Space Forces, Ministry of Defense. His data is appended below, after inserting the International ID, and the USSPACECOM catalog numbers. In his entries of "Inclination", and "RAAN" read " DDD.MM' " as "degrees and minutes". Spacewarn would appreciate receiving correction/confirmation of the USSPACECOM catalog #, especially when a COSMOS-NNNN assigned in Russia differ from the COSMOS-nnnn assigned by the USSPACECOM. COSMOS NNNN(nnnn) ID, (CAT#) EPOCH,FREQUENCY,ORBIT COMMENT, GLONASS # COSMOS 2111 April 20, 1995 GLONASS 249 90-110C(21008) Channel: 23 Inclination: 65.08' RAAN: 098.45' COSMOS 2178 April 20, 1995 GLONASS 769 92-005B(21854) Channel: 2 Inclination: 65.05' RAAN: 098.25' COSMOS 2179 April 20, 1995 GLONASS 771 92-005C(21855) Channel: 23 Inclination: 65.05' RAAN: 098.24' COSMOS 2204(2205) April 20, 1995 GLONASS 756 92-047B (22057) Channel: 24 Inclination: 64.51' RAAN: 338.04' COSMOS 2206(2204) April 18, 1995 GLONASS 774 92-047A (22056) Channel: 1 Inclination: 64.50' RAAN: 338.06' COSMOS 2235(2336) April 20, 1995 GLONASS 759 93-010C (22514) Channel: 21 Inclination: 65.06' RAAN: 098.16' COSMOS 2236(2235) April 20, 1995 GLONASS 757 93-010B (22513) Channel: 5 Inclination: 65.05' RAAN: 098.17' COSMOS 2275(2277) April 20, 1995 GLONASS 758 94-021C (23045) Channel: 10 Inclination: 64.42' RAAN: 338.29' COSMOS 2276(2275) April 20, 1995 GLONASS 760 94-021A (23043) Channel: 24 Inclination: 64.43' RAAN: 338.29' COSMOS 2277(2276) April 20, 1995 GLONASS 761 94-021B (23044) Channel: 3 Inclination: 64.43' RAAN: 338.28' COSMOS 2287 April 20, 1995 GLONASS 767 94-050A (23203) Channel: 22 Inclination: 64.45' RAAN: 218.02' COSMOS 2288(2289) April 20, 1995 GLONASS 770 94-050C (23205) Channel: 9 Inclination: 64.45' RAAN: 218.03' COSMOS 2289(2288) April 20, 1995 GLONASS 775 94-050B (23204) Channel: 22 Inclination: 64.44' RAAN: 218.05' COSMOS 2294(2296) April 20, 1995 GLONASS 762 94-076C (23398) Channel: 12 Inclination: 65.00' RAAN: 098.22' COSMOS 2295(2294) April 20, 1995 GLONASS 763 94-076A (23396) Channel: 21 Inclination: 65.01' RAAN: 098.22' COSMOS 2296(2295) April 20, 1995 GLONASS 764 94-076B (23397) Channel: 13 Inclination: 65.00' RAAN: 099.22' COSMOS 2307 April 20, 1995 GLONASS 765 95-009C (23513) Channel: 1 Inclination: 64.44' RAAN: 338.44' COSMOS 2308 April 20, 1995 GLONASS 766 95-009A (23511) Channel: 10 Inclination: 64.43' RAAN: 338.44' COSMOS 2309 April 20, 1995 GLONASS 777 95-009B (23512) Channel: 3 Inclination: 64.44' RAAN: 338.45' The GLONASS NNN series orbit in three distinct planes that are 120 deg apart. Each plane has eight "slots". Following are the members of the planes/slots. Plane1 Plane2 Plane3 slot1 771 slot 9 slot17 760 slot2 757 slot10 slot18 758 slot3 763 slot11 slot19 777 slot4 762 slot12 767 slot20 765 slot5 249 slot13 slot21 756 slot6 764 slot14 770 slot22 766 slot7 759 slot15 slot23 761 slot8 769 slot16 775 slot24 774 Coordinational Scientific Information Center(CSIC) Russian Space Forces E-mail: sfcsic@iki3.bitnet; sfcsic@iki3.iki.rssi.ru; sfcsic@mx.iki.rssi.ru Home page WWW.IKI: http://www.rssi.ru/SFCSIC/SFCSIC_main.html 4. Actual decays/landings of payload spacecraft and rocket bodies (R/B) only. No further information is available. Designations Common Name 1995 1995-020B (23556) R/B PROGRESS M-24 11 Apr 1994-053A (23218) COSMOS 2290 04 Apr 1991-021A (21190) COSMOS 2137 03 Apr 1994-056B (23231) R/B ETS 6 02 Apr 1982-074D (13390) R/B MOLNIYA 1-55 28 Mar 1995-014B (23531) R/B COSMOS 2311 27 Mar 5. 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 the Request Office, NSSDC, Code 633, NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt, Maryland, 20771, U.S.A., for specific information (REQUEST@NSSDCA.GSFC.NASA.GOV). Precomputed trajectory files and orbital parameters of many magnetospheric and heliospheric science-payload spacecraft may be FTP'ed from NSSDC's ANON_DIR:[000000.ACTIVE] and its several subdirectories. (See last page of the bulletin for access method; a file in the ACTIVE directory named AAREADME.DOC outlines the contents.) 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 the COSPAR Guide to Rocket and Satellite Information and Data Exchange, COSPAR Transactions #8, December 1972, and various Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) resolutions. Hard copy recipients and electronic accessers are encouraged to disseminate the 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:[000000.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 Other subdirectories in [000000.active] carry many files of interest on science payload spacecraft. The bulletin may also be accessed through the World Wide Web (WWW). The URL is http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/spacewarn/spacewarn.html. 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 follows: CATEGORY 1: Spacecraft that carry essentially continuous telemetry or radio beacons, usually on frequencies less than 150 MHz. CATEGORY 2: GPS constellation of positioning/navigational spacecraft. CATEGORY 3: GLONASS constellation of positioning/navigational spacecraft. CATEGORY 4: Occassionally, a list of bright, orbiting objects of visual magnitude 4 or brighter. The bulletin also carries launch dates, international ID's and USSPACECOM catalog numbers, followed by a brief outline of the payload and orbital parameters, re-entry of major objects, and miscellaneous sections. These data are based on launch announcements or on information received from individuals, launching authorities, FBIS and USSPACECOM telexes, and news magazines.