Bob, You may have already found this website, but check out the following. It may help you find out how the Kettering Group did their orbit determination. http://www.svengrahn.pp.se/trackind/trackin1.htm
I had never heard of them, but they were certainly on the cutting edge at the time. Makes me want to dust off my old Oscarlocator. 73 de Doug ka8qcu
----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob DeVarney W1ICW" we1u@verizon.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, August 08, 2008 11:38 Subject: [amsat-bb] satellite orbiatl prediction through obersvation
I. have been reading up on the history of the Kettering group and I am particularly curious about one thing: how did they determine the orbit of the satellite strictly from observation. Can anyone help me with this?
I can see how you could pick up the period of the satellite from observation, but am stumped as to how the rest of it is worked out...
Thanks and VY 73 de W1ICW _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb