The first capture of the latter object was when I was waiting for its rocket launcher (IGS 4r/R2r, 07-005C) on the night of May 17-18. Suddenly a bright (+2) object appeared 2 minutes before 07-005C should, following a similar trajectory. I made a photograph and then found out it was the A component.
Due to a goof from my side I initially thought it was the optical satellite (due to it having the "A" designation, analogue to IGS 1A, 03-009A) and hence was surprised to find it was so bright. Only later I realized it is the (intrinsically brighter) radar sat.
Keyhole USA 161 (01-044A) was observed flaring on the 18th at 00:12:50 UTC (-1.5, slow) and 00:14:13 UTC (-1, short).
USA 193 (06-057A) was bright.
Lacrosse 5 (05-016A) was elusive. On the 18th, it initially was +2 low in the sky but then quickly faded beyond vision for much of the pass.
Below are trail images of the "new" IGS 4A/R2, it's rocket 4R/R2r cruising through Lyra, Lacrosse 3 cruising amongst the Coma cluster stars, and an Iridium flare in twilight.
(click images to enlarge)
Hello there,
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled across your site by accident and found it most interesting. I've been watching satellites for the past few years using the heavens-above website and other web-based prediction sites.
I have only just figured out how to run my own predictions using the WXTrack software and downloading TLE data from the Space-Track website, but the Space-track catalog does not include the Lacrosse satellites and other interesting ones that I have accidentally spotted before (EG the NOSS satellites).
Please could you point me in the right direction for getting a more comprehensive TLE database.
Many Thanks
Daniel from TeamTGF