A Microsat moving with a Hall thruster?
Could it be one of SpaceX's test sats for their constellation?There would be nothing forcing them to announce it in advance, right?
It's not that unusual to get garbage in the TLEs. My current theory:The TLEs for 41927 prior to this one referred to a nonexistent object created by confusing measurementsof Iridium Fred on one orbit with Iridium Joe on the next orbit.They just realized this - oh, there are only 10 objects!They then reassigned 41927 to a newly found debris object from an unrelated launch (maybe from an old Transit sat judging from the orbit). But they forgot to change the international ID.If my theory is correct, the international ID for 41927 will change in a day or two.Complicated, but it wouldn't be the first time something basically identical has happened
yeah, the stuffin.space web page shows a completely different orbit for object M. Its almost 90 degrees apart from the others. That would take several thousand m/s of dv to get there in this short time period of a few days. Either the data is wrong or object M has nothing to do with the iridium constellation.
Quote from: Chris Bergin on 01/18/2017 06:46 pmHoly moly!!https://www.flickr.com/photos/spacexPhotos now they've got the reel of film back from the ASDS:Hey Chris, do you reely think they're still using film...?
Holy moly!!https://www.flickr.com/photos/spacexPhotos now they've got the reel of film back from the ASDS:
Photography buffs will be interested to learn that the shot was taken using a Canon EOS 6D DSLR. Set at ISO 125 for superior image quality, the shutter fired at a super-speedy 1/2500th of a second. Aperture and lens type aren’t noted.
Iridium NEXT satellites successfully launch from Vandenberg Air Force BaseMcLean, Virginia (January 14, 2017) – Aireon announced today the successful launch and deployment of the first ten satellites hosting its space-based automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) system. Part of the Iridium NEXT satellite constellation, Aireon’s space-based ADS-B network will transform air traffic management capabilities, providing real-time air traffic surveillance and flight tracking across 100 percent of the planet. ......Once in orbit, each satellite will undergo extensive testing by the Iridium team. After approximately 40-60 days Iridium will hand-off the ADS-B payloads to Aireon for verification of on-orbit technical specifications. Aireon will then conduct rigorous independent testing and validation of the space-based ADS-B system for approximately 60 days. As part of this testing and validation process, Aireon’s ADS-B receivers, which were manufactured by Harris Corporation, will provide air traffic surveillance data through the Aireon network to the Service Delivery Points (SDPs) at partners NAV CANADA, NATS, ENAV, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), as well as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey....Aireon, formed by Iridium Communications and investors NAV CANADA, ENAV, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and Naviair, will be operational in 2018. The advent of space-based ADS-B is expected to show a remarkable ability to increase safety and efficiency while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as noted in studies conducted by the Flight Safety Foundation and Purdue University, in addition to signed agreements with many of the world’s leading ANSPs....The network will also provide a new service known as Aireon ALERTSM, a free global emergency-aircraft tracking service that will be hosted and operated by the IAA. Earlier this year, Aireon also announced a partnership with FlightAware, and together launched the GlobalBeaconSM flight tracking service. GlobalBeacon is designed to help airlines comply with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Global Aeronautical Distress Safety System (GADSS) requirements, and will provide airlines with minute-by-minute flight tracking data....
So will this help with flights like mh370?Where is the transmitter in the plane?
Quote from: Chris Bergin on 01/18/2017 06:46 pmHoly moly!!https://www.flickr.com/photos/spacexPhotos now they've got the reel of film back from the ASDS:Truly one of the most spectacular photos to ever come out of spaceflight. On purpose or not (I'd say probably not) the sun angle, the shade and angle of the legs, the size of the landing circle underneath, the hazy air thrown up by the rocket engine, and the body of the booster just blocking out the sun all come together for a magnificent composition.
Quote from: jcm on 01/19/2017 05:54 amIt's not that unusual to get garbage in the TLEs. My current theory:The TLEs for 41927 prior to this one referred to a nonexistent object created by confusing measurementsof Iridium Fred on one orbit with Iridium Joe on the next orbit.They just realized this - oh, there are only 10 objects!They then reassigned 41927 to a newly found debris object from an unrelated launch (maybe from an old Transit sat judging from the orbit). But they forgot to change the international ID.If my theory is correct, the international ID for 41927 will change in a day or two.Complicated, but it wouldn't be the first time something basically identical has happenedThank you jcm, this is excellent. I think that at this point the notion of a failed second stage relight can be put to bed for good.
My just in time return makes me 3 for 3 on seeing Falcon 9 launches from Vandenberg.
... I opted for the direct view from the mesa on the north side of the Santa Ynez River due to the super clear weather. ...
I opted for the direct view from the mesa on the north side of the Santa Ynez River due to the super clear weather.
No, launch vehicles are autonomous and don't receive any ground commands.
Quote from: Jim on 01/17/2017 11:47 pmNo, launch vehicles are autonomous and don't receive any ground commands.Which makes something Lauren Lyons said in the hosted webcast very surprising and maybe worth some extra attention, assuming she can be taken literally, "Once Falcon 9 gets to the right orbit, SpaceX will send a separation signal to the dispensers deploying the satellites one by one, 100 seconds apart at an altitude of 625km above the earth."Link starts a few seconds before:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTmbSur4fcs?t=8m16s
But, and this was a debate that recurred many times, the "simple controller" model of traditional launch vehicles is a result of the era in which they were designed, and a computational capacity of a gnat.There is no reason why a flying vehicle designed from scratch in the 21st century would abide by any of those rules, and every time we get a glimpse into how things are done, it's clear that F9 is a lot cleverer then a simple automaton.