Subj : Satellite Antenna
To   : ANGUS MCLEOD
From : SPACEMAN SPIFF
Date : Mon Aug 30 2004 10:20 am

SGID: 1:261/38 034b5c00
EPLY: 1:261/38 9979c8bd
ZUTC: -0500
HARSET: LATIN-1
From: "Spaceman Spiff" <spaceman.spiff@VERT>

  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)
-+-
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