| Date: | 2001-10-05 17:00:00 | |
| Sender: | Julie Horvath, NASA SLR <EDC slrmail account <slrmail@dgfi.badw-muenchen.de>> | |
| Subject: | [SLR-Mail] No. 825: New Satellite STARSHINE 3 | |
| Author: | Julie Horvath, NASA SLR | |
| Content: | ******************************************************************************** SLR Electronic Mail 2001-10-05 17:00:00 UTC Message No. 825 ******************************************************************************** Author: Julie Horvath, NASA SLR Subject: New Satellite STARSHINE 3 New Satellite STARSHINE 3 The new satellite, STARSHINE 3, was launched on September 30th 2001 at 02:40 GMT. The ILRS Governing Board has requested that the NASA Network test track the satellite to verify that laser returns can be achieved from the retroreflectors. This test began on Oct 3, 2001. Global stations are welcome to join this test, but it is not yet an ILRS mission requirement. The MOBLAS-5 station acquired the satellite on Oct. 3rd with 29 returns on a 23 elevation degree pass. The Starshine 3 spacecraft is a hollow aluminum sphere, nearly a meter in diameter (37 inches), that weighs 90 kilograms (197 pounds). The Starshine satellite program fulfills a goal to promote the study of math and science by combining classroom study with a real application. Students learn about orbits, astronomy, the Earth> ´> s atmosphere, the effects of solar activity on the Earth, and the construction and testing of satellite hardware. Student observers record the position of the satellite (visually) to be used to determine the satellite> ´> s orbit. The SLR can provide a more accurate ephemeris, more accurate satellite altitude data, and by using the multiple onboard retroreflectors, provide the capability to measure the satellite spin rate. Official numbers for the satellite have been assigned. Important information includes: Name: Starshine 3 COSPAR #: 0104301 SIC: 4903 Altitude: 470 km Inclination: 67.048 Eccentricity: .000066 Npt bin size: 5 secs New acqusition data will be sent via the ILRS Prediction exploder. If you are able to achieve returns, please send a message to the following e-mail addresses stating the start and end time of the pass, timebias information, signal strength of the returns, and any comments that you may have about the satellite: julie.horvath@honeywell-tsi.com scott.wetzel@honeywell-tsi.com paul.stevens@honeywell-tsi.com The ILRS Governing Board will compile the results of this test to determine whether this satellite will become a global ILRS mission. Thank you, in advance, for all of your efforts. Best Regards, Julie Horvath NASA SLR From: EDC slrmail account ******************************************************************************** |