[net.space] IRAS orbit

CSvax:Pucc-H:Physics:els (01/26/83)

    Does anyone out there know the orbital elements of the IRAS (Infrared
telescope) that was launched yesterday?  I imagine lots of folks want to
know this, so please post answer to the net.  Thanx.


                              els[Eric Strobel]
                              pur-ee!pur-phy!els

karn (01/27/83)

I don't know the orbital elements offhand for IRAS, but the launch site
and time suggest that it is in a 6AM-6PM sun-synchronous orbit.
That is, it will pass over each point on the earth twice per day,
and always at the same local time: 6PM for the "descending" pass (north
to south) and 6AM for the "ascending" pass (south to north).

Phil