USA 193, we barely knew you…

KMZ Updated with Ted Molczan’s multi-pass data.

With the upcoming shootdown of the USA-193 spy satellite, the following was distributed today:

PHZH HONOLULU CONTROL FACILITY

02/062 (A0038/08) - AIRSPACE CARF NR. 90 ON EVELYN STATIONARY RESERVATION WITHIN AN AREA BNDD BY 3145N 17012W 2824N 16642W 2352N 16317W 1909N 16129W 1241N 16129W 1239N 16532W 1842N 17057W 2031N 17230W 2703N 17206W SFC-UNL. 21 FEB 02:30 2008 UNTIL 21 FEB 05:00 2008. CREATED: 18 FEB 12:51 2008

I’ve attached a .KMZ file that shows a plot of these locations…

Many thanks to Ted Molczan for the original post and the plot from which this .KMZ was created.

An Updated NOTAM has been issued:

John Locker posts on SeeSat-L: New NOTAM issued for the same period 24 hours later…..similar track…similar acquisition time so they have ignored the 1330 GMT shot and are keeping daylight attempts.

02/067 (A0708/08) - AIRSPACE STATIONARY RESERVATION WITHIN AN AREA BNDD BY 3145N/17012W 2824N/16642W 2352N/16317W 1909N/16129W 1241N/16129W 1239N/16532W 1842N/17057W 2031N/17230W 2703N/17206W SFC-UNL. 22 FEB 02:30 2008 UNTIL 22 FEB 05:00 2008. CREATED: 19 FEB 12:30 2008

KMZ file also updated with new NOTAM.

Robert Christy has posted a fantastic writeup including additional tracking information on his site.

On 2/20, Ted provided the following update:

The NGA (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency) has issued a Broadcast Warning (the maritime version of a NOTAM) for Feb 21 UTC, and the alternate days, Feb 22 - 25 UTC. (Text appended.)

http://www.nga.mil/MSISiteContent/StaticFiles/MISC/warn/dm_p.html

The time period each day is 02:30 - 05:00 UTC.

The restricted zone is the same for all days, and is identical to that of the
NOTAMs issued to-date.

I have updated my chart to include the new information:

http://satobs.org/seesat_ref/06057A/USA_193_NOTAM_Feb_21-25_UTC.pdf

I believe it is now clear that the first attempt to destroy USA 193 is planned for 2008 Feb 21 UTC, at the time when USA 193 arrives in the area, shortly before 03:30 UTC. In North America’s eastern time-zone, this corresponds to Feb 20 at 10:30 PM EST. In Hawaii, the local time will be Feb 20, 05:30 PM.

USA 193 arrives 9 min earlier each, and about 3.5 deg further west.

Ted Molczan

NAVAREA XII 52/2008(19,83). NORTH PACIFIC. HAWAII. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 210230Z TO 210500Z FEB, ALTERNATE 220230Z TO 220500Z, 230230Z TO 230500Z, 240230Z TO 240500Z AND 250230Z TO 250500Z FEB IN AREA BOUND BY 31-45N 170-12W, 28-24N 166-42W, 23-52N 163-17W, 19-09N 161-29W, 12-41N 161-29W, 12-39N 165-32W, 18-42N 170-57W, 20-31N 172-30W, 27-03N 172-06W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 250600Z FEB.