[amsat-bb] OSCAR 7 Orbit Number, Add 100,00

["Armando Mercado" <mercado@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Using NASA Element Set #97 as a reference:

OSCAR 7
1 07530U 74089B   02183.17214469 -.00000029  00000-0  10000-3 0   976
2 07530 101.7945 227.7509 0012028 163.1344 197.0130 12.53558813264195

At epoch 2002 183.17214469, Oscar 7 had a Mission Elapsed Time of
10090.45625 days.  Launch was Nov. 15, 1974 at 17:11UTC.
NASA has orbit number of 26419.

10090.45625 days x 12.53558813 mean motion =
126489.8035 orbits - 100,000 = ~26490 orbits.  In the ball park.

Using a mean motion of 12.52771648 (from "Getting to Know OSCAR
>From the Ground Up" copyright 1977), you get
126410.375 orbits - 100,000 = ~26410 orbits.   Almost in the infield.

I think this works out an average drag of ~0.000000062 rev/rev., which seems
reasonable.

So, it looks like the NASA orbit number is correct.  Just add 100,000 for
odometer flip.

CUL, Armando n8igj@amsat.org







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