Subj : Satellite Antenna
To   : Angus Mcleod
From : Spaceman Spiff
Date : Mon Aug 30 2004 08:15 pm

  Re: Satellite Antenna
  By: Angus Mcleod to Spaceman Spiff on Mon Aug 30 2004 12:41 am

 > Satellites don't "wave their arms about".  Repositioning a satellite using
 > "magnetorquing" can take many hours as the satellite attitude is gradually
 > changed.  Even satellites with positive attitude correction, fire up their
 > motors *very* rarely.  It cost a flippin' fortune, and there is no refuellin
 > so firing a kick-motor is not something that is undertaken lightly.
 > 
 > What you most likely noticed was the satellite passing through the terminato
 > between full daylight and the earth's penumbra or umbra.
Or the Klingon Bird of Prey turned on it's cloaking device. :)
Maybe it was Captain Kirk looking for the Whales.
(Umbra...it wasn't raining. LOL ok I'll duck now before you throw something at
me. LOL)

.