1990-019B
The AFP-731 satellite deployed by the Shuttle into a 65 degree orbit in Feb 1990 on mission STS-36 is believed to be a specialized imaging satellite. It's not clear whether it is related to the Improved CRYSTAL satellites. The satellite is reportedly called MISTY and was intended to be a low-observable `stealth' platform - but it was soon spotted by amateur observers.
The satellite was observed in a 257 x 270 km orbit at magnitude -1. On Mar 7 five debris objects, 1990-19C to G, were cataloged; although no orbital data were released, DoD reported that the objects would decay in a few months, and in July confirmed that they had done so. There were rumours that the fragments were an attempt to disguise a maneuver by the satellite. The main object was rediscovered, 3.5 mag fainter, by Russell Eberst and other observers on Oct 16, in an 800 km orbit. Working back the orbital precession confirmed that the new sighting was consistent with USA 53. The satellite was lost again in Nov 1990, just after a small orbital adjustment which may have been the precursor to a larger maneuver. It is believed the satellite may still be in a similar orbit.
| AFP-731 | |||
| Date | Time | Event | Orbit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 Feb 28 | 0750 | Launch by Shuttle | KSC LC39A |
| 1990 Mar 1 | 1845? | Deployed from OV-104 | 89.44 240 x 253 x 62.0 |
| 1990 Mar 3 | Small orbit correction | 89.78 257 x 270 x 62.0? | |
| 1990 Mar 7 | 5 debris objects cataloged | ||
| 1990 Mar 19 | one frag. decayed over Pacific | ||
| 1990 Mar 20? | 2nd frag. down | ||
| 1990 Apr-May | Remaining frags continue to decay | ||
| 1990 Jul 24 | DoD confirms all frag decayed | ||
| 1990 Oct 16 | Rediscovered by Eberst et al | 100.96 800 x 808 x 64.99 | |
| 1990 Oct 27 | 100.96 800 x 807 x 65.00 | ||
| 1990 Nov 2 ? | small orbit raise | ||
| 1990 Nov 5 | 100.96 797 x 811 x 65.02 | ||
| 1990 Nov | Orbit changed? | ||
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