karn (04/06/83)
I just got some recent orbital elements for STS-6 via the AMSAT net from the Johnson Space Center: Epoch: 5 April 19:54:00 UTC Inclination: 28.481392 deg Right Ascension of the Ascending Node: 284.0819 deg Eccentricity: .0011514115 Argument of Perigee: 26.145483 deg Mean anomaly at epoch: -.57652064 deg Semi major axis: 6663.5237 km Unfortunately, these numbers won't be valid for long, as there are a number of orbital maneuvers planned to simulate a rendezvous with an imaginary satellite, starting with a plane change tomorrow at about 9AM. Given the late launch and the low inclination, I doubt any naked-eye sightings from the US will be possible during this mission. Phil Karn