Just an observation from looking at the ground track using latest TLE's - these two spacecraft spend moist of each orbit over parts of the Earth that are in darkness. Bit odd for a metsat - if observing in visible light ? But, track does take it over most of the troubled military 'hotspots' .
A-P
Just an observation from looking at the ground track using latest TLE's - these two spacecraft spend moist of each orbit over parts of the Earth that are in darkness. Bit odd for a metsat - if observing in visible light ? But, track does take it over most of the troubled military 'hotspots' .
A-P
This is just a temporary transfer orbit. In a few days the payload will transfer to geostationary orbit where it stays above China (and will be in darkness exactly 50 percent of the time - annually averaged - , just like China!)
This is a totally standard orbit insertion for a geostationary metsat, no need for paranoia.
Looks now like USSTRATCOM has switched Object A and Object B.
Old "A" is now "B" (ie 3rd stage)
To be confirmed
Looks now like USSTRATCOM has switched Object A and Object B.
Old "A" is now "B" (ie 3rd stage)
To be confirmed
Confirmed:
Object A (FY-2F) is now nearly geostationary at 111.8°E in 35745 x 35813 km x 2.40° (epoch Jan 19 at 0356UTC)
Object B (CZ-3A 3rd stage) remains in 369 x 35783 km x 24.36° (epoch Jan 18 at 1254UTC)