For the past ten years teams of the Western Satellite Research Network have undertaken an extensive program aimed at compiling and classifying satellite optical characteristics. In this the second optical characteristics catalog 7900 observations of the optical characteristics of 574 satellites are compiled, reduced and presented in tabular form. A detailed discussion of brightness data is included. This comprehensive summary of optical appearance data is a valuable aid for the identification of the nature or condition of satellites. For example, observations of spin rate increase have indicated leaks or ruptures in some orbiting vehicles' pressurized systems. Also, by noting such characteristics as flash pattern and magnitude variation, one may determine the general nature of a satellite's surface and orientation. Further reduction of these observations is intended in order to fully utilize existing data. (Author)
Satellite Optical Characteristics Catalog (1965 Through 1968)
1968
364 pages
Report
No indication
English
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