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From: wa2ise@cbnewsb.cb.att.com (robert.f.casey)
Newsgroups: sci.space,soc.culture.china
Subject: Status of Chinese polar orbiting satellite FY-1B
Message-ID: <1991Jun17.014212.22819@cbfsb.att.com>
Date: 17 Jun 91 01:42:12 GMT
Sender: news@cbfsb.att.com
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The following was copied from amateur radio packet network:
 Msg# TSF  Size #Rd  Date  Time From   MsgID        To
57980 BF   1967   1 08-Jun 0010 ZL4HG  KGJB47627573 WESAT@AMSAT ()
 Sb: FY-1B STATUS 4-Jun-1991

>From the NOAA Electronic Bulletin Board...

Posted: Tue, Jun  4, 1991   9:54 AM EST              Msg: KGJB-4762-7573
From:   C.STATON
To:     sub.noaa.sat.1
CC:     r.bernstein, b.howard
Subj:   OS: FY-1B STATUS - 6/4/91 

STATUS OF CHINA'S POLAR ORBITING SATELLITE - FY-1B (JUNE 4 1991)

The Satellite Meteorological Center (SMC) of China's State 
Meteorological Administration (SMA) reported an updated status of 
FY-1B as of June 4, 1991.  In early May 1991, the attitude of 
FY-1B was re-established but was shortly lost again.  Utilizing 
the magnetometer controls, and testing throughout May, SMC has 
been able to gain attitude control but finds intermittent 
computer problems result in loss of control.  This problem is 
minimized by cutting of the automated magnetic control system 
beyond China's monitoring region.  Therefore, on orbits covering 
China attitude control is maintained, while "blind" orbits may 
result in accumulated attitude errors. SMC feels that for most orbits 
over the U.S., that the attitude of FY-1B should be "OK".

As of this writing, the HRPT is turned on and is broadcasting on 
1704.5 MHZ.  The APT is NOT on at this time. This configuration 
"may last for some time".  It was not indicated by SMC if or when 
they will resume APT transmissions.

Congratulations to SMC and lets hope FY-1B can resume some sort 
of "routine" observations.

Carl Staton
NOAA/NESDIS

EOF
Note: I have no additional info on the above.  WA2ISE