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Satellite >> Transponder news and Feeds >> Rogue satellite on the loose
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Message started by Steve on Dec 4^th, 2008, 10:16pm

Title: Rogue satellite on the loose
Post by Steve on Dec 4^th, 2008, 10:16pm

Things are set to get a bit hairy over the next few weeks as a US military satellite DSP-23 ( USA 197 ) drifts through one of the most crowded slots in geo orbit.

The bird has been the subject of discussion amongst amateur observers for a few weeks , but it is now starting to make main stream news.

It was launched last November , but failed and is now meandering towards 13 east and the Hotbirds...eventually it will become entangled with the 19 east Astras and there's not a lot anyone can do as the DoD will not release precise details of where it is! ( However there are ways and means....thats how we know its around 12.25 east at present )

So if one of the Hotbirds suddenly drops out in the next week...you'll know the reason why !

Joking apart , DSP-23 still has rather a lot of fuel aboard , in fact nearly
a full tank !

Whilst it is highly unlikely a collision will take place , if it does it could be catastrophic for European satellite owners.

The resulting devastation would leave a huge part of the arc unuseable !

DSP-23 is about 3 degrees inclined but is passing through the equatorial plane midday and midnight .