In a message dated 09/02/2011 06:08:45 GMT Standard Time, clintbradford@mac.com writes:
... Clint. When ARISSAT is released it will stay in the "Plane" of ISS
orbit...they will toss it retrograde meaning in the opposite direction of the velocity vector and with its slightly lower velocity the orbit will start to decrease...this is done so that very quickly the orbits will stop being "prox ops" reasonably fast.
Great, succinct info - MANY thanks!
Clint, K6LCS
Hmm. This is a bit of a brain teaser...
So if the satellite is deployed towards the rear of the ISS, it's velocity will be slightly lower. So does that mean it will go to a lower orbit- (Same as firing retros to reenter)?
If so, then I believe as the orbit altitude is reduced, the apparent velocity increases.....(??) which will cause ARISsat-1 to 'move ahead' of the ISS over a few hours
But didn't we say the velocity would be less than the ISS due to the method of deploying it against the velocity vector ?
Time for me to have a Tuna sandwich. We all know it's probably full of Dolphin...and they are really clever.
David G0MRF