Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!lll-tis!helios.ee.lbl.gov!pasteur!ucbvax!husc6!bbn!apple!stadler
From: stadler@Apple.COM (Andy Stadler)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Info wanted on Atlantis "secret" military satellite payload
Message-ID: <22144@apple.Apple.COM>
Date: 14 Dec 88 00:24:11 GMT
Organization: Apple Computer Inc, Cupertino, CA
Lines: 19
References:<12603@bellcore.bellcore.com> <2531@udccvax1.acs.udel.EDU>

In article <2531@udccvax1.acs.udel.EDU> anderer@vax1.acs.udel.EDU
 (David G Anderer) writes:
>
>Other points made are that the KH-12 has a *large* maneuvering fuel
>capacity, so the 57 degree limitation from Kennedy could be overcome.
>

I recall reading that the KH-12's could be refueled.  Which leads to:

Question:  If LaCrosse uses its manuevering systems to boost itself to
a >57 degree orbit, how could the <max 57> orbiters match it for a
fueling operation...??

Sorry if that's a silly question...  I don't know much about orbits...

Actually, I suppose the bird could use its last amounts of fuel to return
to a shuttle-capable orbit;  but this gives a you failure mode where the
sattelite loses manuevering capability while >57, and is thus unrecoverable.

--Andy Stadler          stadler@apple.com