Subject: [SLR-Mail] No. 910: Tracking of GRACE Satellites
From: Julie Horvath/HTSI, Carey Noll/CDDIS <Carey Noll <noll@cddisa.gsfc.nasa.gov>>

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SLR Electronic Mail          2002-03-15 09:07:00 UTC           Message No. 910 
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Author:  Julie Horvath/HTSI, Carey Noll/CDDIS
Subject: Tracking of GRACE Satellites

Dear Colleagues,

As already announced in SLRMail message 0909, the launch of the two
satellites, GRACE-A and GRACE-B, has been confirmed for March 16th 2002 at
09:23 UTC.

Important information about these satellites:

    Name:          GRACE-A
    Altitude:      485 - 500 km
    Inclination:   89 deg
    Eccentricity:  < 0.005
    SIC:           8003
    COSPAR:        0299901 (temporary number)
    Npt Bin Size:  5 secs

    Name:          GRACE-B
    Altitude:      485 - 500 km
    Inclination:   89 deg
    Eccentricity:  < 0.005
    SIC:           8004
    COSPAR:        0299902 (temporary number)
    Npt Bin Size:  5 secs

Please note:  Temporary numbers will be changed after successful
launch and official COSPAR numbers have been assigned and confirmed.

As stated in the SLRMail, no tracking priority between GRACE-A and GRACE-B
is defined, however the following alternating tracking procedure is given
as a recommendation:

Tracking of only one satellite at a particular SLR station per
pass. If tracking has been successful, the station should switch to the
other GRACE satellite in the next pass and so on. Of course, stations
capable of tracking the two satellites in one pass are encouraged to do
so.

Acquisition data has been generated and distributed by the GFZ-1 group.
Tracking should commence after separation of the two satellites from the
rocket at 10:49 UTC.

Regards,
Julie and Carey.

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Ms. Carey Noll  Manager, Crustal Dynamics Data Information System (CDDIS)
                                           Secretary, ILRS Central Bureau
Code 920.1                             E-mail:  noll@cddisa.gsfc.nasa.gov
NASA GSFC                                           Voice: (301) 614-6542
Greenbelt, MD 20771                                   Fax: (301) 614-5970
USA                  WWW:  http://cddisa.gsfc.nasa.gov/cddis_welcome.html
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From: Carey Noll <noll@cddisa.gsfc.nasa.gov> 

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