Description of satellite information after the name --------------------------------------------------- The so-called "line 0" contains the name, dimensions, estimated standard magnitude, and Radar Cross Section in the following format: Columns 01-14 Name 17-20 Length, m (1) 22-25 Width, m (2) 27-30 Depth, m 31-35 Standard magnitude (at 1000 km range, and 50% illuminated) (3) 37-37 Standard magnitude source flag 39-42 Radar Cross Section value (4) (1) If width and depth are zero, then the object is a sphere, and the length is its diameter. Objects with unknown dimensions have been assumed to be spherical, and a value of diameter has been "guesstimated". (2) If depth is zero, then the object is a cylinder, and width is its diameter. (3) The standard magnitude may be an estimate based on the mean cross- sectional area derived from its dimensions, or it may be a mean value derived from visual observations. The former are denoted by a letter "d" in column 37; the latter by a "v". To estimate the magnitude at other ranges and illuminations, use the following formula: mag = stdmag - 15.75 + 2.5 * log10 (range * range / fracil) where : stdmag = standard magnitude as defined above range = distance from observer to satellite, km fracil = fraction of satellite illuminated, [ 0 <= fracil <= 1 ] (4) The Radar Cross Section is a median value derived from the last several years of values in the Satellite Situation Report. For classified objects or newly-launched objects or objects without a value or with a clearly erroneous value in the SSR, I have chosen a value. The units of the RCS are square meters. Ted Molczan, Sept. 23, 1996 Mike McCants, Jan. 9, 1999, June 7, 2004