This thread talks about satellites changing their radar signals from large to medium, like BlueWalker 3 and Bluebird-SM003, possibly due to changes in their position or configuration. Some satellites still show large signals, which makes people wonder if they are preparing for deployment. The author also corrects a previous mistake about the date.
From all 5 Block1s showing Radar cross section large, two have now shifted to RCS medium.
BlueWalker 3 had a similar signature shift between sept 5-6 before full deployment on sept 10-11.
Always wondered if it spent 5 days in bar configuration or if RCS is simply near threshold
In bar configuration more solar tiles become exposed.
Here is the RCS shift of
BLUEBIRD-SMOO3
ID 2024-163A
NORAD 61045
On september 28th.
2/n
Here is RCS shift of
BLUEBIRD-SM002
ID 2024-163D
NORAD 61048
Occured on the same day.
Need not necessarily be related to flight configuration shift, might be as simple as slight shift of attitude / angle changing how well it acts as radar reflector.
3/3
The other three still ”Large”.
Whatever the cause of the signature shift it makes you wonder if two of the satellites are preparing to deploy a little ahead of the others?
4/
I made a mistake in first post.
Which shows the signature shift in _november_ not any other month.
Thank You! @tottaway22 for correction.
These two changed signature.
From all 5 Block1s showing Radar cross section large, two have now shifted to RCS medium.
BlueWalker 3 had a similar signature shift between sept 5-6 before full deployment on sept 10-11.
Always wondered if it spent 5 days in bar configuration or if RCS is simply near thresholdIn bar configuration more solar tiles become exposed.
Here is the RCS shift of
BLUEBIRD-SMOO3
ID 2024-163A
NORAD 61045
On september 28th.
2/nHere is RCS shift of
BLUEBIRD-SM002
ID 2024-163D
NORAD 61048
Occured on the same day.
Need not necessarily be related to flight configuration shift, might be as simple as slight shift of attitude / angle changing how well it acts as radar reflector.
3/3The other three still ”Large”.
Whatever the cause of the signature shift it makes you wonder if two of the satellites are preparing to deploy a little ahead of the others?
4/I made a mistake in first post.
Which shows the signature shift in _november_ not any other month.
Thank You! @tottaway22 for correction.These two changed signature.
yes
From all 5 Block1s showing Radar cross section large, two have now shifted to RCS medium.
BlueWalker 3 had a similar signature shift between sept 5-6 before full deployment on sept 10-11.
Always wondered if it spent 5 days in bar configuration or if RCS is simply near threshold ... In bar configuration more solar tiles become exposed.
Here is the RCS shift of
BLUEBIRD-SMOO3
ID 2024-163A
NORAD 61045
On september 28th.
2/n ... Here is RCS shift of
BLUEBIRD-SM002
ID 2024-163D
NORAD 61048
Occured on the same day.
Need not necessarily be related to flight configuration shift, might be as simple as slight shift of attitude / angle changing how well it acts as radar reflector.
3/3 ... The other three still ”Large”.
Whatever the cause of the signature shift it makes you wonder if two of the satellites are preparing to deploy a little ahead of the others?
4/ ... I made a mistake in first post.
Which shows the signature shift in _november_ not any other month.
Thank You! @tottaway22 for correction. ... These two changed signature.
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This thread talks about satellites changing their radar signals from large to medium, like BlueWalker 3 and Bluebird-SM0...
