Ted Molczan, a Toronto-based satellite analyst, told Inside Outer Space that OTV-5 began September 2018 in an orbit about 243 miles (391 kilometers) high, inclined 54.5 degrees to the equator. Its ground track repeated every three days, after 46 revolutions."In mid-September, it lowered its altitude to 214 miles (344 km), which caused its ground track to repeat every two days, after 31 revolutions," Molczan said. "It appeared to still be in approximately that orbit when last observed, on January 26, by Alberto Rango, from Rome, Italy."Repeating ground tracks are very common, Molczan said, especially for spacecraft that observe the Earth. "I do not know why OTV has repeating ground tracks," he said.Kevin Fetter, an amateur Canadian satellite spotter in Brockville, Ontario, caught the OTV-5 craft zip by above a bright star. The video can be viewed here.
Quote from: Alter Sachse on 09/07/2018 09:55 am365 days in orbit.Now at 500 days
365 days in orbit.
Quote from: vapour_nudge on 01/20/2019 09:08 pmQuote from: Alter Sachse on 09/07/2018 09:55 am365 days in orbit.Now at 500 daysNow at 600 days
Quote from: vapour_nudge on 04/29/2019 11:03 pmQuote from: vapour_nudge on 01/20/2019 09:08 pmQuote from: Alter Sachse on 09/07/2018 09:55 am365 days in orbit.Now at 500 daysNow at 600 daysNow at 700 days
The U.S. Air Force cataloged three secret satellites launched from the mini-shuttle X-37B (flight OTV-5). Their launch became known in October 2019. Dates of separation from the X-37B, orbital parameters and satellite assignments are not reported.