Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!genrad!decvax!harpo!eagle!karn From: karn@eagle.UUCP Newsgroups: net.ham-radio Subject: Oscar-10 update Message-ID: <1012@eagle.UUCP> Date: Mon, 20-Jun-83 17:09:30 EDT Article-I.D.: eagle.1012 Posted: Mon Jun 20 17:09:30 1983 Date-Received: Tue, 21-Jun-83 00:24:41 EDT Lines: 20 Things are definitely looking better up there. It is now believed that a combination of factors is causing the sun angle to improve at about 3 degrees per day; at this rate, the sun sensor should become operational only about a week from now. Average temperatures are also improving; the latest report from Tokyo is that the battery is bottoming out at about -3.9 C, when it had been considerably colder just a few days ago. I am doing some research to determine how long we can safely remain in our current orbit. While I do not yet have access to an analytical model for solar and lunar perturbations, we can take heart in the fact that the pieces from previous Ariane launches left in the transfer orbit are still up there. This even includes Ariane L-1, which was launched on 24 Dec 1979. The only effect on us will probably be a drop in apogee height due to perigee drag, which will have a noticeable effect on orbital period but isn't likely to be serious. Keep your fingers crossed; the patient is still in guarded condition, but the trends are all positive. Phil