K4FEG wrote:
There have been questions as to whether or not a program like SATPC32 is
calculating the solar position based on ground track or actual satellite
position in orbit, I have not reached out to find out the method of
calculations but based on how AO7 has reacted to even the briefest of
eclipse's as predicted by SATPC32, I suspect the relationship of the
satellite to the Sun is being predicted based on the actual satellite
position in orbit and not based on ground track.
W9AE replies:
SatPC32 displays "Sat in Sun" when the satellite's footprint overlaps
the sun's footprint. You can see it change to "Eclipse" when the two
footprints no longer overlap.
In practice, AO-7's solar panel probably quits generating enough power
when only a portion of the sun's "disc" is obstructed by earth.
Consequently, the satellite would quit working a bit sooner than the
actual eclipse, when 100% of the sun is shaded by earth.
This year I plan to make Field Day satellite contacts for the first time
in several years. In western Oregon I can operate the un-crowded
satellite passes where most of the footprint is over the Gulf of Alaska.
Wayne Estes W9AE
Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik
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