| Date: | 1999-06-04 18:12:00 | |
| Sender: | John J. Degnan <[Mailed John Degnan <jjd@ltpmail.gsfc.nasa.gov>]> | |
| Subject: | [SLR-Mail] No. 337: GFZ-1 | |
| Author: | John J. Degnan | |
| Content: | ******************************************************************************** SLR Electronic Mail 1999-06-04 18:12:00 UTC Message No. 337 ******************************************************************************** Author: John J. Degnan Subject: GFZ-1 As most of you know, the GFZ-1 satellite is rapidly entering the atmosphere. Attempted laser tracking of the satellite has been encouraged by the ILRS despite the difficulty of acquisition in the hope of being able to see various gravity field resonances as the orbit decays. Yesterday I spoke to a fellow named Taft Devere. His group is attempting to use GFZ-1 tracking data to improve atmospheric drag models. This is the group that monitors reentering satellites for the international community. It is rare that they have an opportunity to track a satellite into the atmosphere with such a simple geometry. In addition to obtaining ”fence” data, the U.S. Air Force is using microwave radars to track GFZ-1 and generating predictions for their microwave antennas based on that data. I have asked ATSC to communicate ASAP with Mr. Devere to see if the additional RF tracking input can improve laser acquisition and tracking of GFZ. The principal message to the ILRS tracking stations at this time is to continue to do your best in tracking GFZ-1 during its final days. There is still valuable data to be gleaned from it. Dr. John J. Degnan Chairperson, ILRS Governing Board Code 920.3, Geoscience Technology Office NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA Phone: 01-301-614-5860 Fax: 01-301-614-5970 E-mail: jjd@ltpmail.gsfc.nasa.gov [Mailed From: John Degnan ******************************************************************************** |