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>Xref: infoac rec.radio.amateur.misc:1636 sci.space:19050
>Path: infoac!unido!fauern!ira.uka.de!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!caen!sdd.hp.com!think.com!masscomp!ocpt!tsdiag!ka2qhd!kd2bd
>From: kd2bd@ka2qhd.UUCP (John Magliacane)
>Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc,sci.space
>Subject: * SpaceNews  22-Apr-91 *
>Keywords: STS-39 Keplerian Data, MET on your watch
>Message-ID: <434@ka2qhd.UUCP>
>Date: 20 Apr 91 01:13:23 GMT
>Organization: KA2QHD - OCEAN NJ
>Lines: 138


SB NEWS @ AMSAT < KD2BD $SPC0422
* SpaceNews  22-Apr-91 *

Bulletin ID: $SPC0422


                              =========
                              SpaceNews
                              =========

                         MONDAY APRIL 22, 1991


SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA.  It
is published every week and is made available for unlimited distribution.


* STS-39 INFO *
===============
This information comes from Gerry Creager:

The following elements are ones I made a couple of days ago to match the
latest cycle on orbit flight design profile for STS-39, rotated to the
current launch date of April 23 at 11:05 UTC.  Because of the several
maneuvers, it took 4 sets to match it within about 3 seconds.  Set #1
will be in error by about 17 minutes by the end of the flight.  If it
launches on time, we will have good visible passes on Friday morning,
Apr 26, 10:47z-10:55z, and Saturday morning, Apr 27, 10:41z-10:50z.
The IBSS should be deployed on the Friday pass (Orbit 49), so both it
and the orbiter should be visible.  Landing is at MET 8/07:25.

Element Set #1 -- For Orbits 2 through 28

STS-39
1 00039U          91113.52156250  .00280000  00000-0  44539-3 0    15
2 00039  57.0030 277.1989 0009407 267.9459  92.1059 16.05426977    29

Element Set #2 -- For Orbits 29 through 58

STS-39
1 00039U          91115.20216435  .00280000  00000-0  44539-3 0    25
2 00039  57.0063 269.2651 0009337 272.1084  87.9165 16.06583130   292

Element Set #3 -- For Orbits 59 through 89

STS-39
1 00039U          91117.06825231  .00280000  00000-0  44539-3 0    32
2 00039  57.0050 260.4383 0009142 278.8905  81.1608 16.04230096   591

Element set #4 -- For Orbits 90 through 133

STS-39
1 00039U          91118.99928241  .00280000  00000-0  44539-3 0    41
2 00039  57.0040 251.3354 0009000 285.0101  75.0116 16.03012532   901


* HELPFUL HINTS *
=================
Putting Mission Elapsed Time On Your Wrist Watch

When NASA and AMSAT release information on upcoming Space Shuttle
schedules, time is usually given in UTC based on the expected
opening of the launch window.  Local US time zones are also given
in a margin.  However, mission events are also officially given in
MET, or Mission Elapsed Time.  Physics determines that many
mission elements must happen so many minutes or hours after
launch, since that puts them over certain parts of the world, or
the Shuttle will be in range of certain ground experimenters, or
other factors.

Launch delays are a way of life at NASA, and the upcoming shuttle
launch may be no exception.  Mission Elapsed Time is referred to
constantly throughout a space mission.  Whether you work in the
space program, try to work the SAREX, or just listen to the NASA
feed on the local Ham Radio repeater (146.940 MHz in the Cape
Canaveral area if you're there for the launch), cable TV, or RCA
Satcom F-3 Transponder 13 (where the cable company gets it for
free), you might want access to MET yourself.

MET is based on the time of lift-off at "zero" in the launch
countdown, when the solid rocket boosters are lit, and the
spacecraft leaves the pad at Launch Complex 39.  Simply start the
stopwatch feature of your electronic watch at zero in the count,
and you will have MET on your watch!  The kind of watch best
suited will go until 23 hours, 59 minutes, 59 seconds, and then
click back to zero and keep on going.  Simply check the cheap
watches in the blister packs at your local drug store for a watch
with either a stopwatch, or "24 hour chronometer" feature.  If
they haven't got one for less than ten bucks, check a different
drug store.

If you should miss the launch, simply find out what time the
launch happened from the newspaper, and start it 24 hours later.
Set an alarm on the watch to go off a minute before the time that
is 24 hours from launch.  Shuttle missions are usually up a few
days, and you'd be surprised how handy MET is when keeping track
of the spacecraft.  Of course, remember that you'll have to keep
a tally of the number of elapsed days of the mission yourself.

(C) Copyright 1990 Robert Osband.  Permission granted to SpaceNews,
and any club to reprint this article if a copy of the newsletter
is sent to PO Box 23214, Tampa FL, USA 33612.  All others, contact
author.

[Story via Ozzie, N4SCY @ K0ZXF.FL.USA.NOAM]


* TNX RPTS! *
=============
Thanks to all those who sent e-mail reports to SpaceNews, including:

FE1LOZ, N2GGQ, DC4ZI, KA4PNT, N4RAK, N4SCY, WD4LYV, ZR5AAD, KB7ADO, N8JKQ


* FEEDBACK WELCOMED *
=====================
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MAIL     : John A. Magliacane, KD2BD
           Department of Electronics Technology
           Advanced Technology Center
           Brookdale Community College
           Lincroft, New Jersey  07738
           U.S.A.


/EX
-- 
John A. Magliacane                 FAX  : (908) 747-7107
Electronics Technology Department  AMPR : KD2BD @ NN2Z.NJ.USA.NA
Brookdale Community College        UUCP : ...!rutgers!ka2qhd!kd2bd
Lincroft, NJ  07738  USA           VOICE: (908) 842-1900 ext 607
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