Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site houxz.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!eagle!mhuxt!mhuxi!mhuxa!houxm!houxz!halle1 From: halle1@houxz.UUCP Newsgroups: net.space Subject: Re: sattelites Message-ID: <345@houxz.UUCP> Date: Thu, 21-Jul-83 13:59:45 EDT Article-I.D.: houxz.345 Posted: Thu Jul 21 13:59:45 1983 Date-Received: Fri, 22-Jul-83 05:54:00 EDT References: sri-arpa.3180, <835@pur-phy.UUCP> Organization: Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ Lines: 9 Not true. Common sense, and a little pencil and paper sketch, says that the satellite must be infinitely high for 50% of the GROUND to see it, but for something else in orbit, it could be seen significantly more than 50% of the time without being so far away. The exact amount would depend on the altitudes of the two objects. I haven't worked out the situation for a geosynchronous orbit and the shuttle. I expect that 33% is about right. However, that does not alter the fact that one could easily set up a situation where two satellites would be sufficient for 100% contact.