SPX-499 May 25, 1995 SPACEWARN BULLETIN 499 A publication of NASA NSSDC/WDC-A-R&S as the WWAS for IUWDS/COSPAR (All information in this publication was received between April 25, 1995, and May 24, 1995.) A. List of New International Designations and Launch Dates. (USSPACECOM Catalog numbers are in parentheses.) 1995-025A (23582) GOES-J May 23 1995-024A (23579) SPEKTR May 20 1995-023A (23571) INTELSAT 706 May 17 1995-022A (23567) USA 110 May 14 1995-021A (23560) ERS 2 Apr 21 1986-017JE (23558) GFZ 1 Apr 19 B. Text of Launch Announcements. 1995-025A GOES-J, named as GOES 9 after the launch, is an American geostationary, meteorological spacecraft that was launched from Cape Canaveral by an Atlas 1 rocket at 05:52 UT. It will cover the central United States first but later will be moved to cover either the east coast or the west coast. (Now GOES 7 covers the west coast, and GOES 8 the east coast.) The instruments on board will provide cloud cover images, and monitor atmospheric temperatures and moistures at many altitudes. 1995-024A SPEKTR, a Russian module to be docked with MIR station, was launched from Baykonur cosmodrome by a Proton-K rocket at 05:33 UT. The 23.5 tonne spacecraft will remain with MIR for at least three years. It carries a Belgian grating spectrometer MIRAS that will monitor atmospheric gases such as ozone, carbon dioxide, freon, and sulfur. It also carries some American equipments to implement MIR-Shuttle rendezvous scheduled for later this year. Initial orbital parameters were period 89.8 min, apogee 337 km, perigee 221 km, and inclination 51.7 deg. 1995-023A INTELSAT 706 is a geostationary communications spacecraft of the INTELSAT consortium, and was launched from Kourou in French Guiana by an Ariane rocket at 12:34 UT. The 4-tonne spacecraft will be parked over the Atlantic ocean, and has the capability to relay 110,000 telephone calls simultaneously. 1995-022A USA 110 is an American military spacecraft that was launched by a Titan-4 rocket from Cape Canaveral AFB at 13:45 UT. 1995-021A ERS 2 is ESA's Earth resources spacecraft that was launched by an Ariane rocket from Kourou Space Center in French Guiana at 01:44 UT. The 2,516 kg spacecraft carries a synthetic aperture radar for topographic studies, a wide beam radar (both in the C-band), a radar altimeter for measuring ocean surface and waves, a radiometer for measuring ocean surface temperatures, and an optical Global Ozone Monitor (GOME) that will monitor ozone and ozone-destroying gases and carries reflectors for laser tracking. It has a 6.5 gigabit tape recorder to record data from a full orbit. Initial orbital parameters of the Sun-synchronous orbit were period 100 min, apogee 794 km, perigee 771 km, and inclination 98.6 deg. 1986-017JE GFZ 1 is a German microsatellite which was released from the Russian MIR station. It carries reflectors for laser- ranged, gravitational studies. Its orbital parameters are presumed to be close to those of MIR. The international ID is a derivative of the MIR ID, 1986-017A. C. Spacecraft Particularly Suited for International Participation. 1. Spacecraft with essentially continuous radio beacons on frequencies less than 150 MHz, or higher frequencies if especially suited for ionospheric or geodetic studies. (NNSS denotes U.S. Navy Navigational Satellite System; an asterisk [*] indicates updated/new information since the last issue. Updates or corrections to the list will be most welcomed.) Designations Epoch, Frequency, Power Remarks and Orbit Information 1966-110A (02608) June 16, 1988 [Weak signals. VHF translator ATS 1 137.35 MHz on ~12 hr/day.] Inclination: 14.0 deg 1967-111A (03029) June 16, 1988 [Weak signals.] ATS 3 136.37 MHz 137.35 MHz Location: 105 deg W Inclination: 12.1 deg 1971-93A (5580) February 1, 1993 X 3 137.56 MHz Inclination: 82.05 deg 1973-081A (06909) September 15, 1988 [Operational transit. OSCAR (NAV) 20 150 MHz at 0.75 W Also known as NNSS 30200.] 400 MHz at 1.25 W Inclination: 89.9 deg 1975-100A (08366) June 29, 1991 GOES 1 136.38 MHz Location: 81.2 deg W Inclination: 10.5 deg 1977-048A (10061) October 24, 1993 GOES 2 136.38 MHz Location: 135.95 deg W Inclination: 9.4 deg 1978-012A (10637) December 26, 1991 IUE 136.86 MHz Inclination: 33.201 deg 1978-062A (10953) October 24, 1993 [Frequency drifts caused by GOES 3 136.38 MHz temperature variations.] Location: 176.2 deg W Inclination: 8.0 deg 1981-044A (12458) March 4, 1991 [Stored in orbit at NOVA I 150 MHz at 3.00 W maintenance frequency. 400 MHz at 5.00 W Also known as NNSS 30480.] Inclination: 90.0 deg 1981-122A (13010) March 21, 1993 MARECS-A 137.17 MHz Location: 22.8 deg E Inclination: 5.7 deg 1984-110A (15362) December 24, 1992 [Operational transit. NOVA III 150 MHz at 3.00 W Also known as NNSS 30500.] 400 MHz at 5.00 W Inclination: 90.0 deg 1984-114B (15386) March 21, 1993 MARECS-B2 137.17 MHz Location: 14.9 deg W Inclination: 3.6 deg 1984-123A (15427) January 29, 1995 NOAA 9 137.62 MHz (Inoperative) 137.77 MHz Inclination: 99.158 deg 1985-066B (15936) February 26, 1991 [Stored in orbit at OSCAR (NAV) 30 150 MHz at 1.00 W maintenance frequency. 400 MHz at 2.00 W Also known as NNSS 30300.] Inclination: 89.9 deg 1986-017A (16609) October 27, 1991 MIR 145.550 MHz Inclination: 51.604 deg 1986-073A (16969) October 28, 1994 NOAA 10 137.50 MHz 136.77 MHz Inclination: 98.549 deg 1986-088A (17070) September 15, 1988 [Experimental. POLAR BEAR 150 MHz at 0.75 W Also known as NNSS 30170.] 400 MHz at 1.25 W Inclination: 89.9 deg 1987-18A (17527) February 1, 1993 MOS 1A 136.11 MHz Inclination: 99.09 deg 1987-054A (18129) October 27, 1991 COSMOS 1861 29.357 MHz 29.403 MHz 29.407 MHz Inclination: 82.926 deg 1987-080A (18361) December 5, 1988 [Operational transit. OSCAR (NAV) 27 150 MHz at 0.75 W Also known as NNSS 30270.] 400 MHz at 1.25 W Inclination: 90.3 deg 1987-080B (18362) February 7, 1991 [Operational transit. OSCAR (NAV) 29 150 MHz at 0.75 W Also known as NNSS 30290.] 400 MHz at 1.25 W Inclination: 90.3 deg 1988-033A (19070) January 31, 1989 [Operational transit. OSCAR (NAV) 23 150 MHz at 0.75 W Also known as NNSS 30230.] 400 MHz at 1.25 W Inclination: 90.4 deg 1988-033B (19071) February 26, 1991 [Operational transit. OSCAR (NAV) 32 150 MHz at 1.00 W Also known as NNSS 30320.] 400 MHz at 2.00 W Inclination: 90.4 deg 1988-051A (19215) March 31, 1993 [Transmits on command.] METEOSAT 3 137.080 MHz Location: 72.8 deg W Inclination: 0.7 deg 1988-052A (19223) September 15, 1988 [Operational transit. NOVA II 150 MHz at 3.00 W Also known as NNSS 30490.] 400 MHz at 5.00 W Inclination: 90.0 deg 1988-074A (19419) September 15, 1988 [Stored in orbit at an OSCAR (NAV) 25 150 MHz at 0.75 W offset frequency. 400 MHz at 1.25 W Also known as NNSS 30250.] Inclination: 90.0 deg 1988-074B (19420) March 8, 1990 [Stored in orbit at an OSCAR (NAV) 31 150 MHz at 1.00 W offset frequency. 400 MHz at 2.00 W Also known as NNSS 30310.] Inclination: 98.971 deg 1988-089A (19531) January 29, 1995 NOAA 11 137.62 MHz (Inoperative) 137.77 MHz (Inoperative?) Inclination: 99.059 deg 1990-13A (20478) February 1, 1993 MOS 1B 136.11 MHz Inclination: 99.09 deg 1990-017A (20508) August 6, 1994 [INACTIVE. Replaced by NADEZHDA 2 150 MHz NADEZHDA 4.] 400 MHz Inclination: 82.955 deg 1990-086A (20826) October 27, 1991 METEOR 2-20 137.850 MHz Inclination: 82.530 deg 1991-06A (21087) January 1, 1993 INFORMATOR 1 145.815 MHz Inclination: 82.94 deg 1991-86E (21835) February 1, 1993 MAGION 3 137.85 MHz Inclination: 82.57 deg 1991-007A (21089) July 18, 1991 COSMOS 2123 150 MHz 400 MHz Inclination: 82.923 deg 1991-019A (21152) July 18, 1991 NADEZHDA 3 150 MHz 400 MHz Inclination: 82.929 deg 1991-030A (21232) October 27, 1991 METEOR 3-4 137.300 MHz Inclination: 82.548 deg 1991-032A (21236) October 28, 1994 NOAA 12 137.500 MHz 136.770 MHz Inclination: 98.723 deg 1992-056A (21655) January 29, 1995 METEOR 3-5 137.85 MHz Inclination 82.55 deg 1991-081A (21796) December 6, 1993 [INACTIVE. COSMOS 2173 149.97 MHZ Replaced by COSMOS 2239.] 388.84 MHz Inclination: 82.955 deg 1992-008A (21875) May 25, 1994 [INACTIVE. COSMOS 2180 149.94 MHz Replaced by COSMOS 2279.] 399.84 MHz Inclination: 82.931 deg 1992-020A (21937) December 24, 1992 COSMOS 2184 149.91 MHz 399.76 MHz Inclination: 82.934 deg 1992-036A (22006) December 6, 1993 [INACTIVE. Replaced by COSMOS 2195 149.97 MHz reactivated COSMOS 2135 on 399.92 MHz August 3, 1993.] Inclination: 82.934 deg 1992-073A (22207) November 3, 1992 [Replacing 1991-059A, COSMOS 2218 149.94 MHz COSMOS 2154, in plane #3 399.84 MHz on November 4, 1992.] Inclination: 82.923 deg 1993-001A (22307) January 1, 1993 [Replacing 1992-12A, COSMOS COSMOS 2230 150.00 MHz 2181, in plane #11 on 400.00 MHz January 20, 1993.] Inclination: 82.945 deg 1993-008A (22487) February 18, 1993 [Replacing 1991-029A, COSMOS COSMOS 2233 150.03 MHz 2142, in plane #5 on February 400.08 MHz 17, 1993.] Inclination: 82.944 deg 1993-020A (22590) December 6, 1993 [Replacing 1991-081A, COSMOS COSMOS 2239 149.97 MHz 2173, in plane #4 on April 7, 399.84 MHz 1993.] Inclination: 82.93 deg 1993-070A (22888) December 6, 1993 [Replacing 1991-59A, COSMOS COSMOS 2266 149.97 MHz 2135, in plane #1 on November 399.84 MHz 10, 1993.] Inclination: 82.95 deg 1994-024A (23092) May 25, 1994 [Replacing 1992-08A, COSMOS 2279 149.94 MHz COSMOS 2180, in plane #6 399.84 MHz on May 11, 1994.] Inclination: 82.946 deg 1994-041A (23179) July 16, 1994 [Replacing NADEZHDA, NADEZHDA 4 150.00 MHz 1990-017A, in plane #14 400.00 MHz on July 28, 1994.] Inclination: 82.946 deg 1994-089A (23455) January 29, 1995 NOAA 14 137.62 MHz 137.77 MHz Inclination: 98.9 deg 2. Global Positioning System satellites useful for navigational purposes and geodetic studies. ("NNN" denotes no national name. SPACEWARN Bulletin appreciates suggestions to update this list. An asterisk [*] denotes changes in this issue.) Designations, Epoch, Frequency, National Name and Orbit Information Remarks 1984-097A (15271) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as NAVSTAR 10 USA 5 1575.42 MHz GPS 10. PRN: 12.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 62.2 deg 1985-093A (16129) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as NAVSTAR 11 USA 10 1575.42 MHz and GPS 11. PRN: 3.] 1227.60 MHz DEACTIVATED ON 13 April,94. Inclination: 64.1 deg 1989-013A (19802) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-1 USA 35 1575.42 MHz (Second Generation Global 1227.60 MHz Positioning Satellite) and Inclination: 55.0 deg NAVSTAR 14. PRN: 14.] 1989-044A (20061) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-2 and USA 38 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 13. PRN: 2.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 54.5 deg 1989-064A (20185) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-3 and USA 42 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 16. PRN: 16.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 55.0 deg 1989-085A (20302) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-4 and USA 47 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 19. PRN: 19.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 53.4 deg 1989-097A (20361) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-5 and USA 49 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 17. PRN: 17.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 55.7 deg 1990-008A (20452) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-6 USA 50 1575.42 MHz and NAVSTAR 18. PRN: 18.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 54.0 deg 1990-025A (20533) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-7 and USA 54 1575.42 MHz NAVSTAR 20. PRN: 20.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 54.9 deg 1990-068A (20724) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-8 USA 63 1575.42 MHz and NAVSTAR 21. PRN: 21.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 54.7 deg 1990-088A (20830) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-9 USA 64 1575.42 MHz and NAVSTAR 15. PRN: 15.] 1227.60 MHz Inclination: 55.6 deg 1990-103A (20959) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-10, USA 66 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-1, and NAVSTAR 23. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 23.] Inclination: 55.1 deg 1991-047A (21552) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-11, USA 71 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-2, and NAVSTAR 24. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 24.] Inclination: 56.0 deg 1992-009A (21890) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-12, USA 79 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-3, and NAVSTAR 25. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 25.] Inclination: 54.2 deg 1992-019A (21930) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-13, USA 80 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-4, and NAVSTAR 28. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 28.] Inclination: 55.7 deg 1992-039A (22014) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-14, USA 83 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-5, and NAVSTAR 26. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 26.] Inclination: 54.9 deg 1992-058A (22108) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-15, USA 84 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-6,and NAVSTAR 27. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 27.] Inclination: 54.2 deg 1992-079A (22231) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-16, USA 85 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-7, and NAVSTAR 32. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 1.] Inclination: 54.7 deg 1992-089A (22275) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-17, USA 87 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-8,and NAVSTAR 29. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 29.] Inclination: 54.6 deg 1993-007A (22446) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-18, USA 88 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-9, and NAVSTAR 22. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 22.] Inclination: 54.5 deg 1993-017A (22581) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-19, USA 90 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-10, and NAVSTAR 31. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 31.] Inclination: 55.2 deg 1993-032A (22657) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-20, USA 91 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-11, and NAVSTAR 37. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 7.] Inclination: 55.2 deg 1993-042A (22700) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-21, USA 92 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-12, and NAVSTAR 39. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 9.] Inclination: 54.4 deg 1993-054A (22779) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-22, USA 94 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-13, and NAVSTAR 35. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 5.] Inclination: 54.6 deg 1993-068A (22877) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-23, USA 96 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-14,and NAVSTAR 34. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 4.] Inclination: 55.2 deg 1994-016A (23027) *May 24, 1995 [Also known as GPS 2-24, USA 100 1575.42 MHz GPS 2A-15,and NAVSTAR 36. 1227.60 MHz PRN: 6.] Inclination: 55.1 deg *The GPS 2-NN series orbit in six distinct planes that are about 60 deg apart. Each plane has four "slots." Following are the 2-NN members in the planes/ slots. The RAAN decreases by about 1.0 deg each month; below are their 24 May, 95 RAAN longitudes. PLANE RAAN OF PLANE SLOT-1 SLOT-2 SLOT-3 SLOT-4 A *243 2-21 2-12 2-15 2-04 B *303 2-18 2-07 2-02 2-22 C * 5 2-24 2-13 2-19 2-20 D * 67 2-11 2-09 2-05 2-23 E *125 2-01 2-08 2-03 2-10 F *185 2-16 2-14 2-06 2-17 3. Russian Global Navigational (Positioning) Spacecraft, GLONASS constellation. (SPACEWARN requests updates/additions from readers to this list. Entries marked "*" are updates or additions to the list.) All GLONASS spacecraft are in the general COSMOS series. The COSMOS numbers invoked by USSPACECOM have often differed from the numbers associated in Russia; when different, the USSPACECOM COSMOS numbers are shown in parentheses. The corresponding GLONASS numbers are Russian numbers. (See SPX.496 for the GLONASS numbers commonly attributed outside Russia.) The operating frequencies in MHz are computed from the channel number K. Frequencies (MHz) are L1 = 1602.0 + 0.5625K, and L2 = 1246.0 + 0.4375K. The Spacewarn Bulletin thanks Michael G. Lebedev, Head of CSIC, Russian Space Forces, Ministry of Defense. His data is appended below, after inserting the International ID, and the USSPACECOM catalog numbers. His entries of "Inclination", and "RAAN", " DDD.MM' " should read as "degrees and minutes". Spacewarn would appreciate receiving correction/confirmation of the USSPACECOM catalog #, especially when a COSMOS-NNNN assigned in Russia differs from the COSMOS-nnnn assigned by the USSPACECOM. Richard B. Langley has helped to confirm the International ID's, the USSPACECOM catalog numbers, and the COSMOS-nnnn numbers. COSMOS NNNN(nnnn) ID, (CAT#) EPOCH,FREQUENCY,ORBIT COMMENT, GLONASS # COSMOS 2111 *May 23, 1995 GLONASS 249 90-110C(21008) Channel: 23 Inclination: 65.09' RAAN: 097.39' COSMOS 2178 *May 23, 1995 GLONASS 769 92-005B(21854) Channel: 2 Inclination: 65.06' RAAN: 097.19' COSMOS 2179 *May 23, 1995 GLONASS 771 92-005C(21855) Channel: 23 Inclination: 65.06' RAAN: 097.19' COSMOS 2204(2205)*May 23, 1995 GLONASS 756 92-047B (22057) Channel: 24 Inclination: 64.30' RAAN: 336.56' COSMOS 2206(2204)*May 23, 1995 GLONASS 774 92-047A (22056) Channel: 1 Inclination: 64.49' RAAN: 336.54' COSMOS 2235(2336)*May 23, 1995 GLONASS 759 93-010C (22514) Channel: 21 Inclination: 65.08' RAAN: 097.10' COSMOS 2236(2235)*May 23, 1995 GLONASS 757 93-010B (22513) Channel: 5 Inclination: 65.07' RAAN: 097.11' COSMOS 2275(2277)*May 23, 1995 GLONASS 758 94-021C (23045) Channel: 10 Inclination: 64.41' RAAN: 337.20' COSMOS 2276(2275)*May 23, 1995 GLONASS 760 94-021A (23043) Channel: 24 Inclination: 64.42' RAAN: 337.19' COSMOS 2277(2276)*May 23, 1995 GLONASS 761 94-021B (23044) Channel: 3 Inclination: 64.42' RAAN: 337.20' COSMOS 2287 *May 23, 1995 GLONASS 767 94-050A (23203) Channel: 22 Inclination: 64.44' RAAN: 216.57' COSMOS 2288(2289)*May 23, 1995 GLONASS 770 94-050C (23205) Channel: 9 Inclination: 64.44' RAAN: 216.58' COSMOS 2289(2288)*May 23, 1995 GLONASS 775 94-050B (23204) Channel: 22 Inclination: 64.44' RAAN: 216.59' COSMOS 2294(2296)*May 23, 1995 GLONASS 762 94-076C (23398) Channel: 12 Inclination: 65.01' RAAN: 097.16' COSMOS 2295(2294)*May 23, 1995 GLONASS 763 94-076A (23396) Channel: 21 Inclination: 65.03' RAAN: 097.15' COSMOS 2296(2295)*May 23, 1995 GLONASS 764 94-076B (23397) Channel: 13 Inclination: 65.02' RAAN: 097.17' COSMOS 2307 *May 23, 1995 GLONASS 765 95-009C (23513) Channel: 1 Inclination: 64.43' RAAN: 337.36' COSMOS 2308 *May 23, 1995 GLONASS 766 95-009A (23511) Channel: 10 Inclination: 64.50' RAAN: 336.56' COSMOS 2309 *May 23, 1995 GLONASS 777 95-009B (23512) Channel: 3 Inclination: 64.43' RAAN: 337.36' The GLONASS NNN series orbit in three distinct planes that are 120 deg apart. Each plane has eight "slots". Following are the members of the planes/slots. Plane1 Plane2 Plane3 slot1 771 slot 9 slot17 760 slot2 757 slot10 slot18 758 slot3 763 slot11 slot19 777 slot4 762 slot12 767 slot20 765 slot5 249 slot13 slot21 756 slot6 764 slot14 770 slot22 766 slot7 759 slot15 slot23 761 slot8 769 slot16 775 slot24 774 Coordinational Scientific Information Center(CSIC) Russian Space Forces E-mail: sfcsic@iki3.bitnet; sfcsic@iki3.iki.rssi.ru; sfcsic@mx.iki.rssi.ru Home page WWW.IKI: http://www.rssi.ru/SFCSIC/SFCSIC_main.html 4. Actual decays/landings of payload spacecraft and rocket bodies (R/B) only. No further information is available. Designations Common Name 1995 1994-060F (23272) SL-12 Rocket Body 19 May 1994-069E (23338) SL-12 Rocket Body 11 May 1994-064B (23306) ATLAS 2 Rocket Body 11 May 1985-004D (15481) SL-6 Rocket Body 24 Apr 5. Miscellaneous Items. (This section contains information/data that are entered on occasion and may not be repeated in each issue of the SPACEWARN Bulletin.) NSSDC/WDC-A-R&S is an archival center for science data from many spacecraft. Some data are on line for electronic access. Please contact the Request Office, NSSDC, Code 633, NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt, Maryland, 20771, U.S.A., for specific information (REQUEST@NSSDCA.GSFC.NASA.GOV). Precomputed trajectory files and orbital parameters of many magnetospheric and heliospheric science-payload spacecraft may be FTP'ed from NSSDC's ANON_DIR:[000000.ACTIVE] and its several subdirectories. (See last page of the bulletin for access method; a file in the ACTIVE directory named AAREADME.DOC outlines the contents.) SPACEWARN Bulletin ------------------ This bulletin is intended to serve as an international communication mechanism for the rapid distribution of information on satellites and space probes. The material it contains is based on guidelines in the COSPAR Guide to Rocket and Satellite Information and Data Exchange, COSPAR Transactions #8, December 1972, and various Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) resolutions. Hard copy recipients and electronic accessers are encouraged to disseminate the bulletin to interested individuals and institutions in their regions or countries. All bulletins beginning with January 1991 (SPX-447) are now available on line; the SPX number increases by one for each succeeding month (for example, the January 1993 bulletin is SPX-471). Through DECnet: At prompt type: copy nssdca::anon_dir:[000000.active.spx]spx.471 Through FTP: At prompt type: ftp nssdca.gsfc.nasa.gov At the next prompt type: anonymous At the PASSWORD (NSSDCA.GSFC.GOV.ANONYMOUS) prompt hit: return At the next prompt type: get anon_dir:[000000.active.spx]spx.471 spx.471 Other subdirectories in [000000.active] carry many files of interest on science payload spacecraft. The bulletin may also be accessed through the World Wide Web (WWW). The URL is http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/spacewarn/spacewarn.html. Users are urged to submit their comments and suggestions for the improvement of this bulletin to SPACEWARN Bulletin, World Data Center-A for Rockets and Satellites, Code 930.2, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771 U.S.A. Categories of Spacecraft To improve the effectiveness of international distribution of satellite and space probe information via the SPACEWARN system, spacecraft are identified in categories according to the urgency and detail of information needed by the scientific community as follows: CATEGORY 1: Spacecraft that carry essentially continuous telemetry or radio beacons, usually on frequencies less than 150 MHz. CATEGORY 2: GPS constellation of positioning/navigational spacecraft. CATEGORY 3: GLONASS constellation of positioning/navigational spacecraft. CATEGORY 4: Occassionally, a list of bright, orbiting objects of visual magnitude 4 or brighter. The bulletin also carries launch dates, international ID's and USSPACECOM catalog numbers, followed by a brief outline of the payload and orbital parameters, re-entry of major objects, and miscellaneous sections. These data are based on launch announcements or on information received from individuals, launching authorities, FBIS and USSPACECOM telexes, and news magazines.