Friends,
I know that Es'hail-2 will be positioned at 25.5 degrees, which means that once it is parked there it will not be visible from North America.
But, it is launching from Cape Canaveral and I would imagine that it has to make at least a couple of orbits, while still in the geosynchronous transfer orbit, before the burn(s) to position it at 25.5 degrees. And, that's a couple of orbits that might take it over some part of North America (exactly where and who might be in the footprint for those few passes depends on where the GTO perigee is, I think).
What I would like to know is if there will be any transmissions or any telemetry beacons from Es'hail-2 (probably on a NON-amateur frequency from NON-amateur equipment) that might be heard from North America during those few GTO orbits before the final burn. Perhaps, is there an engineering beacon that might be heard during one of those passes over North America? Anybody know?
Bonus points awarded if you know when, where, and how many burns are taking place. Someone with a telescope (or someone with access to a remotely operated telescope) might be able to detect something.
73, Douglas KA2UPW/5 Just trying to earn the absurd but true "I heard Es'hail-2 from North America" T-shirt :-)