[amsat-bb] PSAT2 Elliptical Orbit visibility cycles

[Robert Bruninga]

As PSAT2's elliptical orbit is reaching its smallest footprint in the
northern hemisphere, we updated her general predictions.  At a latitude of
about 40 degrees, the difference in best elevation angles is about 20
degrees.  With best being 29 and worst being about 9 degrees now..

The Apogee/Perigee cycle repeats every 34 days.  For northern hemisphere
stations, maximum footprint apogee was 11 July and will be max again
August 13th, etc meaning its about at its worst now.

The cycle for local time-of-day pass times is every 48 days.  Noontime
passes were around July 20 and will return about sept 6, moving earlier
each day.  Though day-by-day local pass times appear to be about 5 minutes
later each day as shown on the PSAT2 page.
http://aprs.org/psat2.html with a new pass arriving about 90 minutes
earlier every other day.

Northern Hemisphere passes begin around sunrise and Southern Hemisphere is
entering a great operating period with high elevation angles and all
passes now occurring in afternoon daylight and the SSTV will be taking
images with full sun power.

PSAT2 will remain in DTMF uplink mode.  PSK31 and SSTV are also on.

Bob, WB4APR
http://aprs.org/sats.html  <== all APRS sats