Geoff Richards

Former compiler of Satellite Digest column in SpaceFlight magazine

[Geoff Richards @GeoffRichards6]

@c_mperman @USAS_WW1 @n_blood7 Unswept wing trailing edge marks it as a P1127.

[Geoff Richards @GeoffRichards6]

@SciGuySpace Apollo 17, night launch of a Saturn V.

[Geoff Richards @GeoffRichards6]

@ShuttleAlmanac STS-51A and Joe Allen.

[Geoff Richards @GeoffRichards6]

@JCDAmos Unfortunately, there is a big gap in the available orbital data on the US Space Force Space-Track website between 1970 when it was on operational station and 1977 when it was over 105 deg west.

[Geoff Richards @GeoffRichards6]

@JCDAmos It was moved about 1976, probably for end of life engineering tests by the manufacturer.

[Geoff Richards @GeoffRichards6]

@Toddyspace @AJ_FI @Skyrocket71 @planet4589 I'd guess storable propellants, but haven't seen anything definite.

[Geoff Richards @GeoffRichards6]

@Hush_Kit DH Dove, which I happen to have flown in.

[Geoff Richards @GeoffRichards6]

@planet4589 Or 2024-084 if you want another.

[Geoff Richards @GeoffRichards6]

@planet4589 2024-120

[Geoff Richards @GeoffRichards6]

@ShuttleAlmanac @planet4589 For low orbits, they usually deorbit the second stage shortly after payload deployment, but for some reason the deorbit burn isn't included in the published mission timeline.

[Geoff Richards @GeoffRichards6]

@ESA_History @ArianeGroup @Arianespace @CNES @ESA_transport @EuropeSpacePort I really miss the days when press kits actually contained all the information you wanted to know. Is there any chance of making these available as pdfs to download?

[Geoff Richards @GeoffRichards6]

@seradata The "etc" were Geoffrey Falworth, who began it back in 1968 and Robert Christy, who is still active with his Orbital Focus website.

[Geoff Richards @GeoffRichards6]

Just got my copy of @BIS_SpaceFlight magazine with the final issue of Satellite Digest. No volunteer to replace me and a rather grudging thanks from the editor saying that if you want you can get all the data from the web. Wonder why I bothered all those years.

[Geoff Richards @GeoffRichards6]

Regret to announce that the Satellite Digest in SpaceFlight with the May launches will be the last one that I compile. I've done the last 14 years of the Digest, which has run for 56 years with 5 compilers. If you fancy the job, apply to the British Interplanetary Society.

[Geoff Richards @GeoffRichards6]

I had been intending to give up when I reached 80, but my health has recently taken a turn for the worse and I don't think I can manage the job any longer. If any BIS members want to take on the task of compiling the annual index for the Journal, I'm also giving that up.

[Geoff Richards @GeoffRichards6]

@ShuttleAlmanac Laser communications???

[Geoff Richards @GeoffRichards6]

@ShuttleAlmanac Never mind, it'll ride up with wear.

[Geoff Richards @GeoffRichards6]

@planet4589 Seemed to be either MMI or MM1 Gap Filler in official Pakistan announcements back in 2018, and the current MM1 was already planned then. There's a thread on NSF forum.

[Geoff Richards @GeoffRichards6]

@ShuttleAlmanac Just heard from the editor of SpaceFlight that no-one has yet volunteered to do the job, so now's your chance.