From what I have been able to read on the Internet , so far --
USA-193/NROL-21, supposedly an Experimental radar reconsat with a similar orbit to that of Lacrosse satellites (but lower altitude), passing over the same area of Earth every two days. Supposedly the initial orbital elements were to be 354 x 376 km x 58.5 deg.
USA 193 5.0 2.5 0.0 4.3 v 1 29651U 06057A 08022.26928906 .00106843 00000-0 21608-3 0 00 2 29651 58.4898 160.3690 0008009 84.4119 275.7892 15.98955224 06 Arc 2008 Jan 20.22 - 22.28, WRMS residuals = 0.016 deg
Early estimates being posted across Internet that it will decay around March 24, 2008 (+/- 2 weeks). I will probbaly enter into my copy of Nova for Windows -- so I can get orbital elemnt updates -- to where where it is passing over.
Greg w9gb
Date: Sun, 27 Jan 2008 13:33:26 -0000 From: "GU6EFB" [email protected] Subject: [amsat-bb] Spy satellite out of control To: [email protected]
Hi all
BBC News is reporting that large US spy satellite has gone out of control and is expected to crash to earth next month and should impact the ground.
Get ready to duck.
73 Keith GU6EFB