Yousuf Khan wrote in
:

On 18/07/2011 8:50 PM, eric gisse wrote:
Yousuf wrote in
:

Russia Launches Long-Delayed Deep Space Radio Telescope | Giant
Space
Telescopes | Radio Astronomy& Deep Space Exploration | Space.com
http://www.space.com/12329-russia-la...e-giant-radio-
teles
cope.html



207,000 miles to 621 miles is a bit of an orbital swing.

I've never heard of this. This is neat.

I'm not even sure why they are doing such an elliptical orbit like
that?
Any advantages for viewing angles or stuff like that?

Yousuf Khan


No ****ing idea.

The distance isn't enough to alter the view seen, but it _might_ be
enough to play VLBI games but I don't believe the orbital information
and transmission setup is precise enough to preserve phase/timing
information down to the nanosecond.

Orbits are not accidental so either they wanted it to be there, or a
higher purpose was served that has putting it there as a byproduct. I
just can't figure it out.