Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle Path: utzoo!henry From: henry@utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer) Subject: Re: Info wanted on Atlantis "secret" military satellite payload Message-ID: <1988Dec8.001846.26121@utzoo.uucp> Organization: U of Toronto Zoology References: <684@pyuxd.UUCP> <1988Dec4.225033.18207@utzoo.uucp> <6464@polyslo.CalPoly.EDU> <12418@bellcore.bellcore.com> Date: Thu, 8 Dec 88 00:18:46 GMT In article <12418@bellcore.bellcore.com> karn@ka9q.bellcore.com (Phil Karn) writes: >A little thought reveals that even without the benefit of the published >reports saying it's a radar satellite, it's highly unlikely that Atlantis's >payload is an optical observation satellite. Earth observation satellites >(weather, earth resources or spy) that operate with visible light work best >in "sun synchronous" orbits... The 57 degree >inclination orbit of Atlantis's payload has some nasty characteristics as >far as earth illumination goes... However, if what you've got is a shuttle-unique payload (which at least some rumors claim the KH-12 is), you just have to settle for what you can get, and that ugly orbit is the best you're going to get if you need high-latitude coverage with a shuttle launch from the Cape. If you're in a big hurry to get the thing up -- all three of the near-future shuttle military payloads are in a fair hurry -- you might settle for it. (An earlier example is that the Teal Ruby infrared-sensor payload is shuttle-unique, REALLY REALLY wants a higher-inclination orbit, to test infrared aircraft tracking against the broken ice at the edge of the polar cap [a severe worst-case background, and of considerable practical importance], and is probably going to have to settle for 57 degrees.) Frankly, I don't think we have enough evidence to say *what* that thing is. The USAF and CIA have been doing a good job on disinformation on this bird; this is the third different story within a month or so. I'm not convinced there won't be a fourth. I'll go along with Lacrosse as a working hypothesis but I don't think a KH-12 can be ruled out. -- SunOSish, adj: requiring | Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology 32-bit bug numbers. | uunet!attcan!utzoo!henry henry@zoo.toronto.edu