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