Re: Westbound Satellite?

Ok, so I'm not nuts. Why would they do that? In a 90 minute orbit, the earth
moves 22 degrees, maybe they get a quicker update on a geographic location,
say 70 minutes instead of 90.

    This one was higher than the shuttle, I assume, due to a slower angular
velocity. Maybe about the same rate as the station. No flash, real bright.
Who can launch westbound? Vandenburg & Sea Launch?    Al Gerharter


"Larry Brash" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Al Gerharter wrote:
> >
> > Are there any westbound satellites? Why?  It sure looked like a
satellite,
> > and it was certainly westbound. I'm in Roseburg, Oregon, 43 7.40, 123
26.78,
> > and this was Friday eve. 9:00pdt or 04:00 zulu.
> >
> >     I have never heard of a westbound satellite for obvious Delta V
reasons.
> > I am an airline pilot, and am better than average at recognizing
aircraft.
> > Anyone have any thoughts?
>
> East to west sats are rare, and I have only ever seen one.
>
> -- 
> Larry Brash