Decay Watch Page

Satellite Decay Watch Notices

Last updated: 2004 Sep 4 at 15:25 UTC


This page now serves three purposes. It begins with a list of estimates of the decay times for all recently decayed objects. This is followed by a list of my predictions for the upcoming decays of larger, non-debris objects. Finally, there are more comprehensive current data about the decay and re-entry prospects for larger objects, chiefly those for which decay notices are issued by the Space Control Center (SCC) which is a component of the US Strategic Command, USSTRATCOM.


Recent satellite decays (updated: 2004 Sep 4)

The table that follows lists estimates of the actual decay times of objects over the past few months. My estimates are based on analyses using my SatEvo software of elsets released by SCC. Alongside are SCC's own reports of the decay time, taken from SCC's decay reports or from the decay dates listed in the Satellite Situation Report. Where too few elsets are available on which to base my estimate, I leave the corresponding entry blank. Sadly, there appears to be an increasing trend for only a subset of elsets to be released for general use.

   #    Designation    Name               Estimated actual decay times
                                            My estimate   SCC report
                                              2003        2003

 20390   89-100 B   Cosmos 2053 r             Jun  5.17   Jun  5.17
 25895   99- 46 B   Koreasat 3 Ariane 42P r   Jun  6.63   Jun  6.62
 27824   03- 25 B   Progress M1-10 Soyuz r    Jun 10.76   Jun 10.76
 27817   03- 22 B   Mars Express Fregat r                 Jun 12
 24310   95- 41 D   Koreasat 1 Delta deb      Jun 14.1    Jun 14
  5638   70- 89 CJ  Cosmos 374 deb            Jun 17.5    Jun 17
 27181   01- 49 DZ  TES PSLV deb              Jun 18.0    Jun 18
 17332   85- 56 E   Giotto Ariane 1 deb       Jun 19      Jun 19
 20444   90-  6 A   Molniya 3-37              Jun 23.86   Jun 23.81
 17670   76-126 BV  Cosmos 886 deb            Jun 24.6    Jun 27
 22413   92- 93 DE  Cosmos 2227 Zenit deb     Jun 27.6    Jun 28
 22401   92- 93 CS  Cosmos 2227 Zenit deb     Jun 29.7    Jun 29
 27705   03- 10 B   GPS 52 Delta 2 r          Jun 29.76   Jun 29.77
  5282   71- 52 B   Cosmos 426 r              Jul  1.01   Jul  1.01
 24283   96- 48 B   ChinaSat 7 LM r           Jul  2.81   Jul  2.83
 27486   92- 41 G   Insat 2A Ariane 44L deb               Jul  4
 27836   03- 29 C   Molniya 3-53 casing       Jul 13.64   Jul 13.64
 27242   01- 49 GN  TES PSLV deb              Jul 23?     Jul 23
 27627   88- 98 J   TDF 1 Ariane 2 deb        Jul 23?     Jul 19
 26409   00- 40 C   GPS 48 PAM r              Jul 27.24   Jul 27.23
 27835   03- 29 B   Molniya 3-53 Molniya-M r  Jul 30.19   Jul 30.17
  4330   70- 11 A   Ohsumi                    Aug  1.82   Aug  1.86
 27587   01- 49 NF  TES PSLV dev              Aug  6      Aug  5
 11286   79- 20 B   Intercosmos 19 r          Aug  6.68   Aug  6.68
 22875   93- 67 A   Cosmos 2265               Aug 11.79   Aug 11.82
 20871   90- 81 AK  FY-1B CZ deb              Aug 12.9    Aug 18
 27857   03- 35 B   Cosmos 2339 Soyuz r       Aug 16.19   Aug 16.18
   840   60-  7 D   Transit 2A deb            Aug 18.9    Aug 19
 24655   96- 63 D   Arabsat 2B Spelda         Aug 21      Aug 21
 27447   02- 29 E   Express 4A aux motor      Aug 24.52   Aug 24.67
 26219   99- 57 DH  CBERS LM4 deb             Aug 25.5    Aug 25
 27099   01- 49 AT  TES PSLV deb              Aug 28.3    Aug 28
 27681   03-  6 A   Progress M-47                         Aug 28
 27874   03- 39 B   Progress M-48 r           Aug 31.09   Aug 31.09
 27917   87- 79 AA  Cosmos 1883 SL-12 deb                 Sep  2
 27145   01- 49 CR  TES PSLV deb              Sep  3      Sep  5
 25641   99-  9 D   ArabSat 3A Spelda         Sep  4.45   Sep  4.33
 27822   90- 37 D   HST deb D                 Sep  5.2    Sep  5
 27634   02- 61 C   Shenzhou 4 OM             Sep  9.23   Sep  9.25
 27928   87- 79 AM  Cosmos 1883 SL-12 deb                 Sep  9
 27924   87- 79 AH  Cosmos 1883 SL-12 deb                 Sep 10
 27926   87- 79 AK  Cosmos 1883 SL-12 deb                 Sep 15
 27914   87- 79 X   Cosmos 1883 SL-12 deb                 Sep 16
 27925   87- 79 AJ  Cosmos 1883 SL-12 deb                 Sep 17
  5226   70- 25 KH  Nimbus 4 ThAg deb         Sep 24.0    Sep 23
 26212   99- 57 DA  CBERS LM4 deb             Sep 28.2    Sep 28
 27947   03- 42 J   STSat-1 SL-8 r                        Sep 28
 27823   03- 25 A   Progress M1-10                        Oct  3
 27935   87- 79 AU  Cosmos 1883 SL-12 deb                 Oct  3
 27956   78- 64 N   Seasat 1 deb                          Oct  3
 23100   94- 27 B   SROSS-C2 r                Oct  6.15   Oct  6.17
 20258   89- 78 D   Molniya 1-76 r2           Oct  6.84   Oct  6.84
 26197   99- 57 CK  CBERS LM4 deb             Oct  8.2    Oct 10
 24268   94- 29 MT  Pegasus deb               Oct 12.5    Oct 13
 23416   94- 80 B   DFH-3 1 LM r              Oct 13.40   Oct 13.40
 28006   88- 85 BC  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 14
 22511   92- 93 GW  Cosmos 2227 Zenit deb     Oct 15.3    Oct 14
 27459   02- 34 C   Contour Delta 2 r         Oct 15.4    Oct 15.42
 19348   88- 66 E   Cosmos 1961 aux motor     Oct 15.78   Oct 15.72
 27988   88- 85 AJ  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 16
 28013   88- 85 BK  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 16
 28043   03- 45 A   Shenzhou 5                            Oct 16
 28045   03- 45 C   Shenzhou 5 deb            Oct 16.9    Oct 16
 28046   03- 45 D   Shenzhou 5 deb            Oct 17      Oct 16
 28015   88- 85 BM  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 17
 28032   88- 85 CE  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 17
 28048   03- 45 F   Shenzhou 5 deb            Oct 18.1    Oct 21
 28005   88- 85 BB  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 18
 28018   88- 85 BQ  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 18
 28035   88- 85 CH  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 18
 28047   03- 45 E   Shenzhou 5 deb            Oct 18      Oct 21
 28031   88- 85 CD  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 19
 28053   03- 47 B   Soyuz TMA-3 r             Oct 20.22   Oct 20.22
 27980   88- 85 AA  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 21
 28017   88- 85 BP  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 21
 27096   01- 49 AQ  TES PSLV deb              Oct 22      Oct 22
 25830   70- 67 F   Transit 19 deb            Oct 22.7    Oct 24
 20970   90- 81 CC  FY-1B CZ deb              Oct 24.2    Oct 24
 27982   88- 85 AC  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 24
 28028   88- 85 CA  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 24
 28044   03- 45 B   Shenzhou 5 r              Oct 24.79   Oct 24.79
 22472   92- 93 FM  Cosmos 2227 Zenit deb     Oct 25.5    Oct 24
 28009   88- 85 BF  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 25
 28010   88- 85 BG  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 25
 28020   88- 85 BS  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 26
 28024   88- 85 BW  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 26
 22399   92- 93 CQ  Cosmos 2227 Zenit deb     Oct 26.8    Oct 26
 22389   92- 93 CE  Cosmos 2227 Zenit deb     Oct 27.3    Oct 27
 27975   88- 85 V   Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 27
 28007   88- 85 BD  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 27
 28022   88- 85 BU  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 27
 24256   94- 29 MF  Step-2 Pegasus deb        Oct 28.2    Oct 28
 27781   03- 16 A   Soyuz TMA-2                           Oct 28
 28014   88- 85 BL  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 28
 12214   78- 26 BF  Landsat 3 Delta 1 deb     Oct 29.1    Oct 28
 28023   88- 85 BV  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 29
 28037   88- 85 CK  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 29
 26261   99- 57 EX  CBERS LM4 deb             Oct 29.7    Oct 29
 26189   99- 57 CB  CBERS LM4 deb             Oct 30.0    Oct 30
 28008   88- 85 BE  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Oct 30
 22538   92- 93 GY  Cosmos 2227 Zenit deb     Oct 30.7    Oct 30
 27439   01- 49 LK  TES PSLV deb              Nov  1.1    Nov  1.15
 28019   88- 85 BR  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov  2
 28026   88- 85 BY  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov  2
 28033   88- 85 CF  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov  2
 16600   86- 16 C   N-2 r2                    Nov  2.9    Nov  2.8
 28079   03- 51 D   Jianbin 4 CZ-2D deb                   Nov  3
 25722   99- 22 B   Megsat                    Nov  4.3    Nov  4.37
 26652   99- 57 LJ  CBERS LM4 deb             Nov  4.4    Nov  3
 26923   87- 80 J   Oscar 27 Scout deb        Nov  4      Nov  4
 28076   03- 51 A   Jianbin 4 CZ-2D deb       Nov  4      Nov  4
 27696   02- 51 H   Eutelsat W5 Delta deb     Nov  5?     Nov  6
 27996   88- 85 AS  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov  6
 27702   03-  9 E   IGS Fairing 1             Nov  7.42   Nov  7.42
 28003   88- 85 AZ  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov  7
 27487   02- 41 H   Insat 2A Ariane deb       Nov  8?     Nov 10
 27991   88- 85 AM  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov  8
 27994   88- 85 AQ  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov  8
 28002   88- 85 AY  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov  8
 27987   88- 85 AH  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov  9
 27995   88- 85 AR  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov  9
 27338   01- 49 LK  TES PSLV deb              Nov 10?     Nov 10
 27979   88- 85 Z   Glonass 37 SL-12 deb      Nov 10?     Nov  6
 26341   99- 57 JA  CBERS LM4 deb             Nov 11.2    Nov 10
 21753   83-127 K   Glonas 7 Proton deb       Nov 11.3    Nov  9
 27990   88- 85 AL  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov 11
 27993   88- 85 AR  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov 11
 27966   88- 85 AR  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov 12
 28077   03- 51 B   Jianbin 4 CZ-2D r         Nov 13.0    Nov 13
 27999   88- 85 L   Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov 13
 28038   88- 85 CL  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov 14
 28027   88- 85 BZ  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov 15
 28016   88- 85 BN  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov 16
 17660   69- 82 KW  OPS 1807 ThAg deb         Nov 16.8    Nov 16
 28012   88- 85 BJ  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov 17
 27968   88- 85 N   Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov 18
 28030   88- 85 CC  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov 18
 27960   87- 79 AZ  Cos 1883 Proton deb       Nov 19      Nov 17
 28025   88- 85 BX  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb      Nov 19      Nov 19
 27974   88- 85 U   Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov 20
 27984   88- 85 AE  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov 20
 23298   85-118 V   Cos 1710 Proton deb       Nov 21.3    Nov 21
 28063   95- 64 E   Asiasat 2 deb                         Nov 21
 27778   03- 15 D   Cosmos 2397 aux motor     Nov 22.11   Nov 22.11
 28085   03- 35 D   Cosmos 2399 deb           Nov 22.3    Nov 22.38
 27985   88- 85 AF  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb      Nov 22      Nov  5
 27111   01- 49 BF  TES PSLV deb              Nov 23.2    Nov 21
 28084   03- 35 C   Cosmos 2399 deb           Nov 23.2    Nov 23.14
 28000   88- 85 AW  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov 23
 28011   88- 85 BH  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov 24
  4813   70-113 A   Cosmos 389                Nov 24.88   Nov 24.83
 28090   03- 53 B   Yamal-200 platform        Nov 24.9    Nov 24.9
 28091   03- 53 C   Yamal-200 Proton r1       Nov 24.93   Nov 25.2
 27969   88- 85 P   Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov 25
 27972   88- 85 S   Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov 25
 28021   88- 85 BT  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov 25
 28087   03- 35 F   Cosmos 2399 deb           Nov 26.5    Nov 26.53
 28088   03- 35 G   Cosmos 2399 deb           Nov 26.3    Nov 26.25
 27973   88- 85 T   Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Nov 27
 27703   03-  9 F   IGS Fairing 2             Nov 29.31   Nov 29.30
 28086   03- 35 E   Cosmos 2399 deb           Nov 30.72   Nov 30.72
  1822   65- 82 DM  OV2-1 Transtage r         Dec  2.7    Dec  2.68
 28034   88- 85 CG  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Dec  6
 28036   88- 85 CJ  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Dec  7
 27997   88- 85 AT  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb      Dec  8?     Nov 22
 27856   03- 35 A   Cosmos 2399               Dec  9?     Dec  9
 28110   03- 35 T   Cosmos 2399 deb           Dec  9?     Dec 10
 28102   03- 35 K   Cosmos 2399 deb           Dec  9.7    Dec  9
 28103   03- 35 L   Cosmos 2399 deb           Dec  9.7    Dec  9
 28111   03- 35 U   Cosmos 2399 deb           Dec  9.7    Dec  9
 28100   03- 35 H   Cosmos 2399 deb           Dec 10?     Dec 10
 27955   03-  5 F   GPS 51 Delta 2 deb                    Dec 10
 28101   03- 35 J   Cosmos 2399 deb                       Dec 10
 28120   03- 35 V   Cosmos 2399 deb                       Dec 10
 28121   03- 35 W   Cosmos 2399 deb                       Dec 10
 28122   03- 35 X   Cosmos 2399 deb                       Dec 10
 28123   03- 35 Y   Cosmos 2399 deb                       Dec 10
 28124   03- 35 Z   Cosmos 2399 deb                       Dec 10
 28125   03- 35 AA  Cosmos 2399 deb                       Dec 10
 28126   03- 35 AB  Cosmos 2399 deb                       Dec 10
 28127   03- 35 AC  Cosmos 2399 deb                       Dec 10
 28128   03- 35 AD  Cosmos 2399 deb                       Dec 10
 28106   03- 35 P   Cosmos 2399 deb           Dec 10.6    Dec  9
 22522   93- 11 B   Astro 4 r                 Dec 10.86   Dec 10.86
 28104   03- 35 M   Cosmos 2399 deb           Dec 11      Dec 10
 28108   03- 35 R   Cosmos 2399 deb           Dec 11      Dec 10
 28105   03- 35 N   Cosmos 2399 deb           Dec 12      Dec 11
 28107   03- 35 Q   Cosmos 2399 deb           Dec 12      Dec 12
 28109   03- 35 S   Cosmos 2399 deb           Dec 12      Dec 12
 25233   98- 12 A   SNOE                      Dec 13.3    Dec 13
 27116   01- 49 BL  TES PSLV deb              Dec 18.3    Dec 18
 28078   03- 51 A   FSW-3 1                   Dec 18.79   Dec 18.8
 27641   03-  1 B   Coriolis Titan 2 r        Dec 19.31   Dec 19.32
 27306   01- 49 KC  TES PSLV deb              Dec 21.4    Dec 21
 17634   81- 53 LG  Cosmos 1275 deb           Dec 29.5    Dec 29
 28029   88- 85 CB  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Dec 29
 28136   03- 60 C   Expr. AM-22 Platform                  Dec 29.57
 27997   88- 85 AT  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb                  Dec 30
 28135   03- 60 B   Expr. AM-22 Proton r                  Dec 31.31
 
                                              2004        2004
 27050   89- 62 N   TVSat Ariane 44LP deb     Jan  3.9    Jan  3.9
 27758   94- 29 AEN Step-2 Pegasus deb                    Jan  6
 27779   03- 15 E   Cosmos 2397 aux motor     Jan  8.01   Jan  8.04
 24263   94- 29 MN  Step-2 Pegasus deb        Jan 10.9    Jan 11
 20022   63- 14 EY  Westford Needles deb      Jan 12.6    Jan 12
 27363   01- 49 ML  TES PSLV deb              Jan 15.5    Jan 14
 28062   95- 64 D   Asiasat 2 deb                         Jan 15
  1370   65- 20 AC  Cosmos 61 deb             Jan 17.4    Jan 17
 26632   00- 79 B   EROS A1 Start-1 rocket    Jan 17.54   Jan 17.55
 22879   93- 68 C   GPS 2-23 PAM-D r          Jan 20.53   Jan 20.50  (Actual = Jan 20.49)
 22633   93- 25 A   Molniya 3-44              Jan 25.28   Jan 25.28
 27512   01- 49 MU  TES PSLV deb              Jan 25      Jan 25
 27986   88- 85 AG  Glonass 37 SL-12 deb      Jan 27.6
 27829   03- 27 C   MER-A Delta 2 rocket      Jan 27.66   Jan 27.65
 27873   03- 39 A   Progress M-48                         Jan 28
 26232   99- 57 DW  CBERS LM4 deb             Jan 30.6    Jan 30
 28143   04-  2 B   Progress M1-11 Soyuz r    Feb  1.13   Feb  1.13
 26602   96- 17 C   IRS B3 deb                Feb  6.5    Feb  6
 26307   99- 57 GQ  CBERS LM4 deb             Feb  7.0    Feb  6
 27259   01- 49 HS  TES PSLV deb              Feb 11.2    Feb 13
 27719   03- 14 B   Asiasat 4 Centaur rocket  Feb 12.47   Feb 12.48
 27165   01- 49 DM  TES PSLV deb              Feb 12.7    Feb 12
 26251   99- 57 EM  CBERS LM4 deb             Feb 13.2    Feb 12
  2086   65-109 C   Transit 10 Scout deb      Feb 14.5    Feb 17
 28162   77-  5 G   NATO 3B Delta 1 deb       Feb 17      Feb 17
 27839   03- 30 B   OrbView 3 Pegasus rocket  Feb 22.36   Feb 22.36
 18983   88- 22 D   Molniya 1-72 r2                       Feb 23
 28172   01- 57 D   Cosmos 2382 deb           Mar  1      Feb 29
 28173   01- 57 E   Cosmos 2382 deb           Mar  2      Mar  1
 28179   01- 57 L   Cosmos 2382 deb           Mar  2      Mar  1
 28180   01- 57 M   Cosmos 2382 deb           Mar  2      Mar  2
 26293   99- 57 GF  CBERS LM4 deb             Mar  2.7    Mar  2
 28174   01- 57 F   Cosmos 2382 deb           Mar  3      Mar  3
 28178   01- 57 K   Cosmos 2382 deb           Mar  3      Mar  3
 28183   01- 57 Q   Cosmos 2382 deb           Mar  3      Mar  3
 26276   99- 57 FN  CBERS LM4 deb             Mar  4.0    Mar  3
 25154   98-  6 C   Inmarsat 3-F5 Ariane r    Mar  4.3    Mar  4.2
 28171   01- 57 C   Cosmos 2382 deb           Mar  4      Mar  5
 28181   01- 57 N   Cosmos 2382 deb           Mar  4      Mar  4
 28176   01- 57 H   Cosmos 2382 deb           Mar  6      Mar  5
 23813   96-  5 F   Gorizont 31 aux motor     Mar  7.23   Mar  7.24
 15916   85- 61 D   Molniya 3-25 r2           Mar  8.5    Mar  8.6
 28182   01- 57 P   Cosmos 2382 deb           Mar  8      Mar  8
 27932   87- 79 AR  Cos 1883 SL-12 deb                    Mar 10
 28177   01- 57 J   Cosmos 2382 deb           Mar 11.4    Mar 11
 28146   78- 64 P   Seasat 1 deb              Mar 14.7    Mar 14
 28166   04-  5 D   Cos 2405 Molniya casing   Mar 15.35   Mar 15.35
 26682   85- 37 J   Cos 1650 SL-12 deb        Mar 16.0    Mar 15
  4393   70- 37 A   Meteor 1-4                Mar 16.59   Mar 16.62
 27860   64- 49 R   Cosmos 41 deb             Mar 17      Mar 18
 28175   01- 57 G   Cosmos 2382 deb           Mar 18.4    Mar 18
 23332   94- 70 B   Astra 1D Ariane r         Mar 20.5    Mar 20.46
 27053   01- 57 A   Cosmos 2383               Mar 20.77   Mar 20.79
 27584   01- 49 NC  TES PSLV dev              Mar 23      Mar 22
 28167   04-  5 E   Cos 2405 Molniya-M deb    Mar 23.6    Mar 22
 19482   61- 15 MG  Transit 4A deb                        Mar 27
 28168   04-  5 F   Cos 2405 Molniya-M deb    Mar 27.5    Mar 28
 28195   04- 10 B   Cos 2407 Proton casing    Mar 28.1    Mar 28.1
 28196   04- 10 C   Cos 2407 Proton r1        Mar 29.2    Mar 28.25
 27930   87- 79 AP  Cos 1883 SL-12 deb        Mar 29      Mar 30
  5357   70- 86 C   Cos 372 SL-8 deb          Apr  2.0    Apr  2
 28214   87- 79 BJ  Cos 1883 SL-12 deb                    Apr  2
 27934   87- 79 AT  Cos 1883 SL-12 deb                    Apr  5
 14528   63- 47 Q   Atlas Centaur 2 deb       Apr  6.7    Apr  6
 27156   01- 49 DC  TES PSLV deb              Apr  7.2    Apr  9
 27109   01- 49 BD  TES PSLV deb              Apr  8.2    Apr  8
   869   64- 49 D   Cosmos 41                 Apr  9.13   Apr  9.14
 28165   04-  5 C   Cos 2405 Molniya-M r1     Apr 10.85   Apr 10.87
 14416   68- 91 CS  Cosmos 249 deb            Apr 11.7    Apr 12
 26343   99- 57 JC  CBERS LM4 deb             Apr 16.8    Apr 16
 26057   00-  2 B   Galaxy 10R Ariane r       Apr 17?     Apr 16
 28219   04- 11 B   Superbird 6 Centaur r                 Apr 19
 24934   97- 49 D   Hot Bird 3 Spelda         Apr 21.18   Apr 21.20
 22572   92- 93 HU  Cosmos 2227 Zenit deb     Apr 21.3    Apr 21
 28229   04- 13 B   Soyuz TMA-4 Soyuz r       Apr 21.80   Apr 21.81
 27217   01- 49 FM  TES PSLV deb              Apr 24.9    Apr 23
 10389   77- 65 DY  GMS 1 Delta deb           Apr 26.7    Apr 26
 28235   04- 15 B   Expr. AM-11 Proton casing             Apr 27.55
 28236   05- 15 C   Express AM-11 Proton r1               Apr 29.32
 27891   78- 83 J   Cosmos 1030 deb                       Apr 30
 28052   03- 47 A   Soyuz TMA-3                           Apr 30
 25111   97- 83 B   Intelsat 804 Ariane r     May  3.64   May  3.65
  4825   70- 89 V   Cosmos 374 deb            May  3.7    May  6
 26914   85- 56 N   Giotto Ariane 1 deb       May  4.2    May  4
 23794   96- 10 A   Raduga 33                 May  6.26   May  6.27 (Sighted during re-entry)
   898   64- 49 E   Cosmos 41 r2              May  7.25   May  7.26
 11630   79- 99 B   Cosmos 1145 r             May  7.48   May  7.51
 16564   79- 17 GX  Solwind deb               May  8.8    May  9
 27234   01- 49 GE  TES PSLV deb              May 10      May  7
 27083   01- 49 AB  TES PSLV deb              May 11.0    May 11
 26576   00- 65 B   USA 153 Centaur r         May 15.86   May 15.86
 27936   87- 79 AV  Cos 1883 SL-12 deb        May 21.0    May 20
 19639   61- 15 MH  Transit 4A deb            May 23      May 22
 27862   64- 49 T   Cosmos 41 deb             May 23      May 23
 25151   92- 72 F   Galaxy 7 Ariane 42P+ deb  May 25      May 25
 28257   89-  1 R   Glonass 40 SL-12 deb      May 26      May 26
 28231   04- 14 B   Gravity Probe B Delta r   May 27.62   May 27.63
 28262   04- 19 B   Progress M-49 Soyuz r     May 28.06   May 28.08
 26579   00- 66 B   Thuraya-1 Blok DM-SL r    May 30?     May 28
 28351   04- 20 B   Cosmos 2407 Tsiklon-2 r   May 28      May 28.86
 28049   03- 45 G   Shenzhou 5 Orbital Module May 30.12   May 30.13
 28142   04-  2 A   Progress M1-11                        Jun  3
 24716   97-  2 D   GE-2 Ariane Spelda        Jun  6      Jun 27.22
 28150   87- 79 BE  Cos 1883 SL-12 deb                    Jun  6
  8346   75- 94 C   C 773 SL-8 deb            Jun 18.4    Jun 18
 24807   67- 92 K   Transit 17 Scout deb      Jun 25.9    Jun 26
 22345   92- 93 AJ  C 2227 Zenit deb          Jun 26.2    Jun 26
 22273   92- 88 E   Cosmos 2224 aux motor     Jun 27.12   Jun 27.12 (Sighted during re-entry)
 26031   88- 18 E   SpaceNet 3R Ariane 3 deb  Jun 30.96   Jun 30.98
 27468   83-127 Q   C 1519 Proton deb         Jul 11?     Jul 11
 11634   79- 57 C   NOAA 6 deb                Jul 12.6    Jul 13
 25559   98- 70 B   Satmex 5 Ariane r         Jul 12.76   Jul 12.76
 23955   96- 41 C   GPS 26 PAM r              Jul 15.53   Jul 15.53
  3553   68- 97 F   Cosmos 252 deb            Jul 23.1    Jul 23
 27851   03- 32 C   MER-B Delta 2 r           Jul 25.04   Jul 25.00
 28261   04- 19 A   Progress M-49                         Jul 30
 27701   03-  9 D   IGS1 adapter              Aug  8.69   Aug  8.72
 27239   01- 49 GK  TES PSLV deb              Aug 13.3    Aug 12
 12213   78- 26 BE  Landsat 3 Delta 1 deb     Aug 13.4    Aug 13
 28400   04- 32 B   Progress M-50 Soyuz r     Aug 13.67   Aug 13.71
 11015   78- 83 A   Cosmos 1030               Aug 17.82   Aug 17.82
 27315   01- 49 KM  TES PSLV deb              Aug 19.4    Aug 18
 28401   78- 83 L   Cosmos 1030 deb           Aug 20.7
 28223   04- 12 D   Shiyan 1 deb              Aug 21.3
 27131   01- 49 CB  TES PSLV deb              Aug 23.6    Aug 24
 26692   01-  4 C   GPS 50 PAM-D r            Aug 26.56   Aug 26.54
 28404   04- 33 C   FSW 3 CZ-2C deb           Aug 31.9    Aug 31
 28405   04- 33 D   FSW 3 CZ-2C deb           Sep  1.0    Aug 31
 28362   04- 23 B   GPS 55 Delta 2 r          Sep  1.73   Sep  1.73
 

Upcoming satellite decays (updated: 2004 Sep 4)

These are my predictions of the decay dates for larger objects over the coming weeks. The final column gives the date that I made the estimate. See below implies that there is a current Decay Watch notice for this object.

   #    Designation    Name              Estimated decay   Last updated
                                               2004            2004
 28403   04- 33 B   FSW 3 CZ-2C r             Sep 10          Sep  4
 28130   03- 58 B   Navstar 53 Delta 2 r      Sep 14          Sep  4
 28191   04-  9 B   GPS 54 Delta 2 r          Oct 11          Aug 22
 28377   04- 26 B   Aura Delta 2 r            Oct 26          Aug 22
 28239   04- 16 B   DirecTV-7S Blok-DM r      Nov             Aug 22
  7832   72- 58 C   Landsat 1 r deb C         Dec             Aug 22
  9017   76- 66 C   Palapa 1 PKM              2005 Jan        Aug 22
 26560   00- 60 B   Superbird 5 Ariane r      2005 Jan        Aug 22
 26607   00- 71 C   Navstar 49 PAM-D r        2005 Jan        Aug 22
 23020   94- 14 B   Koronas I r               2005 Feb        Aug 22
 23853   96- 25 A   Cosmos 2332               2005 Feb        Aug 22
 27666   03-  5 D   Navstar 51 Delta 2 r2     2005 Feb        Aug 22
  5978   68-116 B   Intelsat 3-F2 Delta r2    2005 Mar        Aug 22
 23249   94- 58 A   Telstar 402               2005 Apr?       Aug 22

Current Satellite Decay Watch notices

Thanks to Daniel Deak for object descriptions

_____________________________________________________________________
Object: #11015 = 78- 83 A = Cosmos 1030
Soviet missile early warning satellite, part of the Oko constellation.
It was launched on September 6, 1978.
(Body dia. : 1.7 m   Body length : 2 m   Launch mass : 2400 kg)

Notice prepared: 2004 Aug 18 07:00 UTC

Decay predictions:
Source   Prediction made    Predicted decay at      Latitude Longitude
               UTC                UTC                  deg      deg

SCC        Aug 12 01:01     Aug 16 01:15 +-2d        51.6 S    13.5 E
SCC        Aug 13 22:42     Aug 16 22:53 +-2d        24.7 S    17.6 E
SCC        Aug 15 21:40     Aug 17 09:46 +-22h       61.6 S    73.3 W
SCC        Aug 16 14:16     Aug 17 14:43 +-15h       30.7 S   141.9 E
SCC        Aug 17 09:36     Aug 17 17:14 +-5h         7.1 S    98.8 W
SCC        Aug 17 12:19     Aug 17 18:23 +-4h        57.5 S   125.3 E
SCC        Aug 17 16:17     Aug 17 18:23 +-4h        57.6 S   125.8 E
SCC        Aug 17 21:37     Aug 17 19:38 +-14m       27.0 S    63.7 E

SatEvo     Aug 12 17:00     Aug 17 05:03 +-1.8d
SatEvo     Aug 13 18:45     Aug 18 12:57 +-1.9d
SatEvo     Aug 14 18:35     Aug 17 15:09 +-1.0d
SatEvo     Aug 15 16:05     Aug 17 16:50 +-18h
SatEvo     Aug 16 19:00     Aug 17 15:00 +-7h        44.3 S   149.7 E
SatEvo     Aug 17 07:05     Aug 17 18:11 +-4h        33.6 S    90.7 E
SatEvo     Aug 18 07:00     Aug 17 19:38 +-10m       29.6 S    65.5 E

Final elsets:
Cosmos 1030      4.0  2.0  0.0  5.5 d   12       1146 x 92 km
1 11015U 78083A   04230.45850201  .99999999 -46844-5  16992-2 0  9867
2 11015  61.6801 130.1786 0753258 206.3096 149.7812 14.83305109192664
Cosmos 1030      4.0  2.0  0.0  5.5 d   12       323 x 59 km
1 11015U 78083A   04230.78332538  .99999999  68145-5  92654-4 0  9870
2 11015  61.5883 128.8544 0200632 223.1730 146.5197 16.30681278192719

Note: The penultimate elset shows this running 23 sec late against
my previous prediction but then there was a gap, in both elsets and 
SCC decay predictions, until well after the decay. Assuming that it 
was still aloft at the epoch of the final elset, I estimate that
decay occurred southbound over the SW Indian Ocean to the E of
Madagascar.
_____________________________________________________________________
Object: #26692 = 01-  4 C = GPS 50 PAM-D r

Notice prepared: 2004 Aug 27 20:40 UTC

Decay predictions:
Source   Prediction made    Predicted decay at      Latitude Longitude
               UTC                UTC                  deg      deg

SCC        Aug 22 07:48     Aug 25 23:53 +-2d        25.2 N    18.9 W
SCC        Aug 23 07:41     Aug 26 08:08 +-2d        37.0 S     0.7 E
SCC        Aug 24 13:27     Aug 26 13:43 +-1d         2.4 N   162.1 E
SCC        Aug 25 12:11     Aug 26 11:31 +-18h        7.3 N    27.9 E
SCC        Aug 26 00:50     Aug 26 13:15 +-8h        35.6 N    55.6 E
SCC        Aug 26 07:02     Aug 26 13:29 +-4h        31.5 N   119.0 E
SCC        Aug 26 14:04     Aug 26 12:59 +-1m        32.1 N    44.0 E

SatEvo     Aug 22 14:15     Aug 26 07:14 +-1.3d
SatEvo     Aug 23 18:50     Aug 26 10:18 +-22h
SatEvo     Aug 24 18:20     Aug 26 11:50 +-16h
SatEvo     Aug 25 20:30     Aug 26 14:49 +-8h        36.7 N    79.1 E
SatEvo     Aug 27 20:40     Aug 26 13:21 +-3h        36.7 N   101.6 E

Final elset:
GPS 50 PAM r     2.5  1.0  0.0  6.5 v  3.2       323 x 125 km
1 26692U 01004C   04239.23190081  .24722415  56803-5  57836-3 0  8863
2 26692  38.6341 167.1993 0150062  78.4171 283.4443 16.18497036 98774

Note: The final elset has this only 3 sec early against the prediction
I posted 9 hour earlier. I estimate that this decayed over central
China on the orbit given by the SatEvo predicted elset:
GPS 50 PAM r     2.5  1.0  0.0  6.5 v  3.2       203 x 116 km
1 26692U 01004C   04239.53828324  .73306816  22539+1  68471-3 0 98861
2 26692  38.6289 165.0540 0066588  81.2336 279.5199 16.42284291 98828
SCC's earlier decay time and much lower uncertainty must be based
on tracking data that is not reflected by the latest published elsets.
_____________________________________________________________________
Object: #27701 = 03-  9 D = IGS 1A Adapter
Dual-payload adapter cone that supported the IGS-1B radar satellite
over the IGS-1A reconnaisance satellite on the Japanese HII-A rocket
that was launched on March 28, 2003.
(Diameter : 4 m   Length : 2 m   Mass unknown)

Notice prepared: 2004 Aug 12 12:35 UTC

Decay predictions:
Source   Prediction made    Predicted decay at      Latitude Longitude
               UTC                UTC                  deg      deg

SCC        Aug  5 03:07     Aug  9 00:08 +-2d        25.3 S   160.9 E
SCC        Aug  5 20:25     Aug  8 20:51 +-2d        51.0 N   137.7 W
SCC        Aug  6 17:42     Aug  8 14:17 +-1d        37.1 S   137.6 E
SCC        Aug  7 18:42     Aug  8 19:10 +-15h       76.7 N    26.7 E
SCC        Aug  8 04:38     Aug  8 17:08 +-8h        57.3 S   100.5 E
SCC        Aug  8 10:40     Aug  8 16:56 +-4h        68.6 S   106.2 W
SCC        Aug  8 14:28     Aug  8 16:57 +-3h        74.9 S   115.7 W
SCC        Aug  8 17:29     Aug  8 17:10 +-1m        17.0 S    89.0 E

SatEvo     Aug  5 20:00     Aug  9 10:24 +-1.1d
SatEvo     Aug  6 22:15     Aug  8 20:21 +-15h
SatEvo     Aug 12 12:35     Aug  8 16:40 +-15h       30.3 S    89.5 W

Final elset:
IGS Adapter      4.0  3.0  0.0  4.5 v   18       144 x 118 km
1 27701U 03009D   04221.65910995  .54725605  23237-5  34815-3 0  7596
2 27701  97.2119 302.2040 0019957 236.3372 123.7071 16.53103485 77287

Note: I estimate that this decayed southbound over the SE Pacific 
following the southbound equator crossing on the orbit given by the 
final elset.
_____________________________________________________________________
Object: #28400 = 04- 32 B = Progress M-50 Soyuz rocket

Notice prepared: 2004 Aug 13 19:05 UTC

Decay predictions:
Source   Prediction made    Predicted decay at      Latitude Longitude
               UTC                UTC                  deg      deg

SCC        Aug 11 13:39     Aug 13 20:58 +-1d        33.5 S    23.9 W
SCC        Aug 12 01:17     Aug 13 20:07 +-1d        13.9 N   138.8 E
SCC        Aug 12 17:52     Aug 13 17:50 +-15h        4.2 N    20.8 W
SCC        Aug 13 05:27     Aug 13 15:49 +-8h        29.3 N   140.4 W
SCC        Aug 13 11:21     Aug 13 17:09 +-3h         4.0 N   176.3 E
SCC        Aug 13 14:52     Aug 13 16:44 +-1h        51.1 S    77.6 E
SCC        Aug 13 17:13     Aug 13 17:02 +-7m         4.0 S   171.0 E

SatEvo     Aug 12 17:30     Aug 13 18:44 +-10h       36.3 N   176.9 W
SatEvo     Aug 13 19:05     Aug 13 16:08 +-25m       37.1 N    29.0 W

Final elset:
Progress M-50 Soyuz r                            146 x 140 km
1 28400U 04032B   04226.59010766  .16062899  12667-4  23562-3 0   158
2 28400  51.6254  32.4150 0004560  66.8433 293.6020 16.48527321   369

Note: I show this decaying while southbound near the Azores over the 
Altantic on the SatEvo-predicted rev:
Progress M-50 Soyuz r                            123 x 120 km
1 28400U 04032B   04226.65052175 2.23110345  50000+2  91447-3 0 90151
2 28400  51.6236  32.0675 0002195  67.1028 292.9204 16.56689230   377
_____________________________________________________________________
Object: #28362 = 04- 23 B = GPS 55 Delta 2 r 

Notice prepared: 2004 Sep 4 15:00 UTC

Decay predictions:
Source   Prediction made    Predicted decay at      Latitude Longitude
               UTC                UTC                  deg      deg

SCC        Aug 29 06:04     Sep  2 04:25 +-2d        32.7 S   164.7 W
SCC        Aug 30 08:54     Sep  2 08:49 +-2d        32.7 S   111.6 E
SCC        Aug 31 01:13     Sep  1 19:39 +-1d        25.0 S     6.2 E
SCC        Aug 31 16:55     Sep  1 13:24 +-14h       23.2 S     9.8 E
SCC        Sep  1 07:36     Sep  1 16:47 +-10h       11.1 S    78.4 E
SCC        Sep  1 12:12     Sep  1 17:32 +-3h         9.6 N   110.4 W
SCC        Sep  1 14:10     Sep  1 17:34 +-2h         4.1 N   102.3 W
SCC        Sep  1 18:40     Sep  1 17:37 +-1m        17.6 S    73.0 W

SatEvo     Aug 31 20:25     Sep  1 17:26 +-8h        15.2 N   119.5 W
SatEvo     Sep  4 15:00     Sep  1 17:25 +-1h        16.1 N   120.8 W

Final elset:
GPS 55 Del2 r    7.0  2.0  0.0  5.0 d   10       200 x 133 km
1 28362U 04023B   04245.57930190  .32625844 -17790-5  68026-3 0  1563
2 28362  32.8494 329.1028 0051870 123.0251 237.5481 16.39755584 10489

Note: The final elset has this running 37 seconds early against my
final prediction. I estimate that this decayed southbound over the
eastern Pacific to the SW of Mexico on the following SatEvo-predicted
rev:
GPS 55 Del2 r    7.0  2.0  0.0  5.0 d   10       158 x 120 km
1 28362U 04023B   04245.70067973  .80645206  67476+1  59902-3 0 91567
2 28362  32.8474 328.1685 0028934 124.4313 235.8425 16.50026672 10508
______________________________________________________________________


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Reach the author via email at alan@wingar.demon.co.uk


Thanks to Mike Rippe (Sacramento, California) for graphics