STS-28 Payload Question...

"John Geenty" wrote in
:

I have a question regarding the STS-28 payload that was originally
intended to have flown on STS-61N. I've read a verity of sources which
each list a slightly different view of what was carried on STS-28.
Some media sources suggested it was an advanced KH-11, but this has
been fairly clearly debunked. I have heard it also suggested it might
have been a modified Lacrosse. The final theory I read was that it was
an exceptionally large surveillance satellite designed for Molniya
orbits to observe various locations including certain Artic regions
missed by other satellites. Or am I way off the mark with all of
these? Any help would be excellent, although I understand that STS-28
is still classified.

The payload was most likely a Satellite Data System (SDS) spacecraft,
specifically SDS B-2, used to relay imaging data from polar-orbiting recon
spacecraft. SDS B-1 and B-3 were deployed on STS-51J and STS-53,
respectively. See pp. 329-331 of Jenkins, 3rd ed, for discussion and
illustration.


--
JRF

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"Jorge R. Frank" wrote in message
...
"John Geenty" wrote in
:

I have a question regarding the STS-28 payload that was originally
intended to have flown on STS-61N. I've read a verity of sources which
each list a slightly different view of what was carried on STS-28.
Some media sources suggested it was an advanced KH-11, but this has
been fairly clearly debunked. I have heard it also suggested it might
have been a modified Lacrosse. The final theory I read was that it was
an exceptionally large surveillance satellite designed for Molniya
orbits to observe various locations including certain Artic regions
missed by other satellites. Or am I way off the mark with all of
these? Any help would be excellent, although I understand that STS-28
is still classified.

The payload was most likely a Satellite Data System (SDS) spacecraft,
specifically SDS B-2, used to relay imaging data from polar-orbiting recon
spacecraft. SDS B-1 and B-3 were deployed on STS-51J and STS-53,
respectively. See pp. 329-331 of Jenkins, 3rd ed, for discussion and
illustration.


--
JRF

Reply-to address spam-proofed - to reply by E-mail,
check "Organization" (I am not assimilated) and
think one step ahead of IBM.

Thanks, much appreciated!

John

"John Geenty" wrote

I have a question regarding the STS-28 payload

See

http://satobs.org/seesat/Feb-1996/0018.html
http://satobs.org/seesat/Feb-1996/0016.html
http://satobs.org/seesat/Feb-1996/0011.html