gnu@sun.uucp (John Gilmore) (02/10/84)
Is it possible for the Ham Radio fraternity to get some use out of the un-commercially-usable Westar VI satellite? Hams are used to tracking satellites in 200 mile high orbits, right? Just think of it -- a $50 million satellite to play with...and you thought Oscar was fun! From: alb@alice.UUCP Newsgroups: net.columbia Subject: Westar VI Found in Perfect Health Message-ID: <2575@alice.UUCP> Date: Sun, 5-Feb-84 19:48:05 PST A ground station in California today (Sunday) found the Westar VI satellite and succeeded in changing its atiitude so that it could recharge itself from the sun. Communications were established with the satellite, and Western Union reported it to be in perfect health. However, its elliptical orbit of 195 to 205 miles renders it virtually useless, and with no way to boost the orbit, Western Union is calling the satellite a total loss.