Re: (meteorobs) Iridiums

To: meteorobs@latrade.com
Subject: Re: (meteorobs) Iridiums
From: David McCarter <mccarterd@claven.fanshawec.ondot ca>
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 13:04:34 -0500
In-Reply-To: <01BD3663.D6D9C4A0@ha1-37.eclipsedot net>
Reply-To: meteorobs@latrade.com
Sender: owner-meteorobs

15 seconds long, with a few as high as Mag -8. They are (IIRC) in about 400
mile orbits, so have slower 

I looked at the Iridium satellite orbit, and they are in almost circular
sun sync orbits at about 800Km, with most just under at 784 typically. This
is about 500 miles. Much lower than that and atmospheric drag would make
their useful lives exceedingly short. We are approaching another solar
maximum which is predicted to be a doozie, so we might see them spiral in
sooner than planned. Remember SpaceLab?


David McCarter
Professor Electronics General Servicing
Fanshawe College London, Ontario, Canada
R.A.S.C. London Centre      VE3GSO

References:

(meteorobs) Iridiums

From: Wayne T Hally <meteors@eclipsedot net>

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